Romans 8:26-27 (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. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
1 Corinthians 14:14-15a (NKJV) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.
Scripture reveals to us that we are three-part beings, comprising spirit, soul, and body. Our spirit man is the part that is born again when we receive Christ into our lives. Because God is Spirit, He prompts, counsels, and guides us through our spirit man. Therefore, we need to be sensitive to Him through our spirit. The Holy Spirit lives in us, communicates with us, and prays through our spirit.
Intercession is a form of prayer. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in a prayer language that comes from our hearts. Praying in the Spirit enables us to express the cries of our hearts that we cannot articulate. It is a deep, divine communication between the Holy Spirit and the Heavenly Father. It also aligns our prayer with God’s will. This allows us to rest, knowing that God has the best plan for us.
It is a good spiritual discipline to pray in the Spirit and in understanding every day. We pray in a known language when we pray with understanding, and we pray in tongues when we pray in the Spirit. We cannot understand speaking in tongues with our natural mind because it is a supernatural gift from God. Therefore, we should not despise it or dismiss it as empty babbling simply because our minds cannot comprehend it. In fact, praying in the Spirit allows Him to help us to pray when we are weak or when God places a burden in our hearts. When we do not know why, for whom, or what the burden is about, we can begin praying in tongues and partner with Him in prayer by yielding to Him. He will pray with us and through us until there is a release and the burden is lifted.
As New Testament believers, we can partner with the Holy Spirit as He intercedes with groanings through tongues when we cannot articulate our prayers, according to the will of God. Therefore, we should allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us freely, even if we are uncomfortable or unaware of what He is praying through us in tongues.
Reflection: Do you sometimes struggle to pray because you don’t know how or can’t find the right words? How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to partner with Him in a deeper way when you pray?
Sermon Series: The Holy Spirit is our best stress release valve
让圣灵帮助你祷告
罗马书 8:26–27 况且，我们的软弱有圣灵帮助；我们本不晓得当怎样祷告，只是圣灵亲自用说不出来的叹息替我们祈求。鉴察人心的，晓得圣灵的意思，因为圣灵照着神的旨意替圣徒祈求。
哥林多前书 14:14–15 我若用方言祷告，是我的灵祷告，但我的悟性没有果效。这却怎么样呢？我要用灵祷告，也要用悟性祷告。
圣经启示我们，人是由灵、魂、体三部分组成的。当我们接受基督进入生命时，我们的灵便重生了。因为神是灵，祂借着我们的灵向我们启示、劝勉并引导我们。因此，我们需要在灵里对祂保持敏锐。圣灵住在我们里面，向我们说话，并借着我们的灵祷告。
代求是一种祷告。圣灵用一种从我们心里发出的祷告语言为我们代求。在灵里祷告，使我们能够表达那些无法用言语说出的心灵呼求。这是圣灵与天父之间一种深刻而属天的交通，也使我们的祷告与神的旨意对齐。因此，我们可以安息，因为知道神为我们预备的是最美好的计划。
每天操练用灵祷告和用悟性祷告，是一个美好的属灵操练。用悟性祷告，就是用我们所明白的语言祷告；用灵祷告，就是用方言祷告。我们天然的理性无法明白方言，因为这是神所赐超自然的恩赐。因此，我们不应因自己的理性无法理解，就轻看方言或认为那只是毫无意义的喃喃自语。事实上，当我们软弱，或当神将一个负担放在我们心里时，在灵里祷告使圣灵能够帮助我们祷告。当我们不知道为什么有这个负担、是为谁祷告，或这个负担究竟关乎什么时，我们可以开始用方言祷告，借着顺服圣灵，与祂一同同工祷告。祂会与我们一同祷告，并借着我们祷告，直到里面得着释放，那个负担也随之卸下。
作为新约的信徒，当我们无法用言语表达祷告时，可以与圣灵同工，让祂借着方言，以说不出来的叹息，照着神的旨意为我们代求。因此，我们应当让圣灵自由地借着我们祷告，即使我们对祂借着方言所祷告的内容感到不自在，或并不明白。
默想：
你是否有时因为不知道该如何祷告，或找不到合适的话语，而感到祷告困难？当你祷告时，圣灵正在邀请你如何更深地与祂同工？
讲章系列：圣灵是我们最好的“减压阀”