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26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:26-39 NIV Bible)
When I was in Cub Scouts for one of the merit badges I wanted, I had to take a six-mile hike. My best friend Alex was always up for whatever was going down, and so early one Saturday morning, following a path drawn by my mother, Alex and me started our hike. We had canteens, our favorite shoes, and blue jeans and our uniform shirts on, and off we went. The day turned out to be hot, but nothing like it's been here lately, but nonetheless the sun beating down on us. The route was simple but a bit difficult due to the heat. Walked from our houses on Avenue A to Texas A&I University and followed that street out of town and almost to the Celenese plant, which yes, was called in those days, Smellanese because of the vapors and odors that came out of the plant in those days. Our next-door neighbor, Mr. Mendoza, was the first Mexican American hired to work at that plant. Once we were near to the plant we took the road that led to the highway and turned back towards Kingsville, taking Highway 77. It was the company of Alex, our conversation, our jokes, that made the journey bearable. It was towards the end when the heat, sweat, and the six miles of walking that had us worn down. Had we been asked to pray at that time, we would have passed. "Call on someone else to pray, we're too tired!"
In the same way we have been at points in our lives where we have been overwhelmed by life and some of the unexpected bends and turns it has led us down, and we find that don't quite have the words for prayer. It's in the midst of our parched hearts that we can encounter the oasis of God's presence, where the Holy Spirit stands ready to help us in our prayers. If we drink deeply from this divine well, we will discover that it is the Spirit's assistance that can transform our weaknesses into opportunities for growth and communion with God.
When we are at a loss for words, when our emotions overwhelm us, and when we struggle to find the right prayer, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf, expressing the unspoken groanings of our hearts to the Father. The Spirit understands us intimately, and His intercession aligns our prayers with God's perfect will. What can we learn from this passage? Paul shares, I believe, four new understandings of this relationship with God. The first is the comfort of knowing God's help. There is no such thing as a "perfect" prayer. I've shared how when I was an undergraduate, my pastor in Houston prayed the most awesome prayers I had ever heard. I dared compare his ability to pray at a PhD level. Yes, "Pretty Heavenly Divine" prayers were what he specialized. I said when he called on me to pray I felt at best at a GED level, a "Get 'Er Done" and the faster the better! But the Spirit takes our groans and sobs and turns them into personal prayers prayed right into God's ears and heart. The Spirit is our ever-present guide and advocate, who provides comfort and assurance that our prayers are being heard and that we have truly meant it when we have said, "Thy will be done."
I believe Paul wants us to know that we can embrace weakness as an opportunity for growth. Instead of viewing our weaknesses as hindrances, we can see them as opportunities for the Spirit's transformative work in our prayer life. If we can learn to surrender our limitations to God, the Spirit will empower us to grow and mature in our communication with Him.
We can learn that God's goodness is in our prayer journey. As we lean on the Spirit's assistance, we can discover that even in our weakest, God's plan is unfolding. It is the Spirit's role to lead us into God's purposes, aligning our hearts with God's heart. We can trust that in every circumstance, God is working for our good and His glory.
And the fourth thing is that we can be conformed to the image of Christ. It is through the Spirit's help, our prayer life becomes a process of tansformation. If we surrender to His guidance, we are shaped into the image of Christ, reflecting His love, compassion, and character in our prayers and actions.
Paul is making the point that we should never give up on our prayers. We need to stay connected to God, trusting in His will and purpose, and knowing that whomever or whatever we have lifted up, God will take care of it. A steady prayer life will bless us and help us mature. We should pray with confidence and trust. This will bless our spiritual life as we mature into God's perfect plan.
PRAYER: Loving Father, we are humbled and grateful for the assurance that Your Spirit is our ever-helping partner in prayer. May we trust the comfort and guidance that He will be with us in our moments of weaknesses and uncertainty. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Pray more. Trust more.
Receive my blessings of joy and peace,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
