Romans 8:26 (NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
As a New Testament believer, we can partner with the Holy Spirit who will intercede for us with groaning and through tongues when we are unable to articulate our prayers in known languages. Because the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God, which is always good and perfect, we should welcome the Holy Spirit to pray through us freely, even if we may feel slightly uncomfortable or are unaware of what He is praying through us in tongues. This is the reason why the Apostle Paul encourages us to pray in both the understanding and in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:15 (NKJV) What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
We pray in a known language when we pray in the understanding, but when we pray in the spirit, we pray in tongues, which is a prayer language in this context. When we pray in the spirit, our “inner man” is also edified and strengthened, so it is a double blessing! We should not despise praying in tongues because it allows us to work with the Holy Spirit in praying through a situation that God has put on our hearts, especially when we are weak, or we don’t know what the burden is about. Therefore, when you have a burden to intercede, you should pray in tongues until the burden is lifted from your heart.
All of us would love to have people praying for us—it allows us to experience the grace of God carrying us through the crisis and witness the work of God’s hands throughout the whole process. Likewise, there will be times when we need to stand in the gap to intercede for those who are going through tough challenges. They may be your loved ones, relatives, colleagues, church members or whoever the Holy Spirit moves you to pray for.
We need each other especially when we are hard pressed on every side. Therefore, we should learn to take time to intercede or stand in the gap for one another whenever the situation warrants for it. In fact, God is always looking for someone to stand in the gap for others whenever there is a need, so that He can act justly, righteously and prevent the work of the devil.
Sermon Series: Partnering God in Prayer
做一个乐意的代祷者
罗马书8:26 照样，圣灵也在我们的软弱上帮助我们。原来我们不晓得应当怎样祷告，但圣灵亲自用不可言喻的叹息，替我们祈求。
作为一名新约信徒，我们能够与圣灵合作，当我们无法用已知的语言表达我们的祈祷时，圣灵会用呻吟和方言为我们代祷。因为圣灵是按照上帝的旨意为我们代祷，而上帝的旨意永远是美好和完美的，所以我们应该欢迎圣灵通过我们自由地祈祷，即使我们可能感到有点不舒服，或者不知道祂通过我们用方言祈祷的是什么。这就是为什么使徒保罗鼓励我们既要以悟性祷告，也要在灵里祷告。
哥林多前书14:15 那么我应当怎样行呢？我要用灵祷告，也要用理智祷告；我要用灵歌唱，也要用理智歌唱。
当我们以悟性祷告时，我们用一种已知的语言祈祷，但当我们在灵里祷告时我们用方言祈祷，在这种情况下，这是一种祈祷语言。当我们在灵里祷告时，我们的“内在灵人”也受到教化和加强，所以这是双重祝福！我们不应该轻视方言的祈祷，因为它允许我们与圣灵一起工作，为上帝所安放在我们心上的情况代祷，尤其当我们软弱或不知道那负担是关于什么的时候。因此，当你有一个代祷的负担时，你应该用方言祈祷，直到你心中的负担解除。
我们每个人都喜欢有人为我们祈祷，这让我们能够体验上帝护送我们度过危机的恩典，并在整个过程中见证上帝之手的工作。同样，有时我们需要站在破口中，为那些正在经历艰难挑战的人代祷。他们可能是你所爱的人、亲戚、同事、教会成员或任何一个圣灵感动你为之祈祷的人。
我们需要彼此，特别是当我们身陷重围四面楚歌时。因此，当情况需要时，我们应该学会花时间为彼此代祷或站在破口之处。事实上，上帝一直都在寻找在需要的时候随时为他人站在破口之人，好教祂能够秉公、秉义地行事，阻止魔鬼的工作。
讲章系列：在祈祷中与神同工
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