The Holy Spirit – Our Intercessor!

Romans 8:26-28 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. (NKJV).

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us! What an amazing truth! You know, there’s times when we need to know and be encouraged by this aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

This is an amazing thought. That Jesus as the Son of God and a human being, was on the earth, but limited to one place at one time, ministering to one area. Now that He has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, He has “sent” the Holy Spirit to the earth to be in us and with us. No longer limited to one place at one time, He (the Holy Spirit) is everywhere at all times! There is no place the Holy Spirit is not! When Jesus went the Holy Spirit was sent.

We’ve perhaps heard about a whole lot of what the Holy Spirit does on earth and in our lives, but lets remember He is also in heaven, right there at the throne of the Father, making intercession for us.

Romans 8:26 says the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. We’re still human, even though we have the Divine living in us there’s times when we feel weak, and unable to “be strong”, and overcome, and get the victory. It’s at those times of weakness we sometimes don’t know how to pray. We’re usually good at praying for other’s needs and praying for situations outside of our own. But when the rubber hits the road on our own doorstep and stuff happens, we can sometimes run out of the right things to say to God in prayer. We feel weak. Even in His presence. All the usual strategies and prayer actions we usually take seem to be of no use. And when you’re weak there’s not a lot you can do.

Paul goes on to say but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us as if to emphasis the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who passionately intercedes for us. It’s always nice to have and to know that we have people praying for us and going further than that, to intercede for us. This is not an angel, or some well respected human entity, but “God Himself” who is the intercessor. Wow! Even though we have “God” the Holy Spirit in us and with us, filling us at all times, He is also in the presence of the Father and the Son, praying for us!

Then it says, with groanings which cannot be uttered. His intercession language before the Father is so deep, so passionate and intimate with the Father to be unutterable. It’s like the Holy Spirit is praying for us with such agony that we can’t know what the words are, they are groanings that are only understood by the Father. Wow!

Romans 8: 27 says He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Paul says He makes intercession for the “saints”. Being weak and feeling unable to pray at times does not lesson who we are in Christ, it does not change our identity as a Blood bought Son or Daughter of the Father.

And He KNOWS how to pray! Does He ever! He knows what we need, He knows what’s ahead, He knows what’s going on, He knows what we’ve been through, He knows the pressures we face, the trails we bear, He knows the pain we suffer, He knows the disappointments we carry, He knows the highs and the lows, He knows the good and the bad in our lives, He knows exactly where we’re at! Friend HE KNOWS!

He knows The Father’s Will for us; therefore He prays before the Father according to the “Father’s” will! Wow! Remember: He’s the Spirit of Truth, The Counsellor. So He only intercedes according to that special plan and purpose God the Father has designed for us. God has a plan for us, so not only are we praying for His will to be done in our lives, and not only has God empowered us with the Holy Spirit in us to accomplish His will, but, He, the Holy Spirit, is in heaven every second interceding according to that special plan.

Corey Ten Boom once said, “The centre of God’s will is the only safety”. And yet I can honestly say, I wonder sometimes if I am in the will of God, because of what is happening in my life. Yet we know that He knows what the heart and will of God the Father is. Therefore He prays and intercedes according to that will, so that we can be in safety. And I can also say He’s been faithful.

But wait, there’s more! Not only is the Holy Spirit interceding for us, but so is Jesus Christ! Romans 8:34 says Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (NKJV). Another big WOW!

This is mind-blowing stuff. Did you know, that when you’re weak, at your wits end and don’t know how to pray, that Jesus Christ AND the Holy Spirit are interceding for you? And not just for any old run-of-the-mill usual blessing, but according to the special specific unique “just-for-you” plan of God.

Friend, be free from the demands to perform some kind of spiritual gymnastics when you are physically and emotionally weak and feel unable to pray as you should. It’s a season, you’ll be strong one day and back to your prayerful best. But right now, remember this: when you think there’s no one praying for you, there is! The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ are interceding for you so that you will fulfil the special plan and purpose the Father has designed for you.

I feel an urgency as I write this “Brief Word”. This is a word for some. Maybe everything is OK with you and your world, but, there will be someone you know of who might benefit from this message. I don’t often do this, but please pass it on to encourage them and build their hope. Thank you!

Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV).