One of the great values of the Scriptures is its authoritative reminder of difficult but carefully balanced truths. Public praying, while not discouraged, is not really emphasized in the Book. Private prayer, while not described in detail, is still not the most important kind of prayer discussed. It is that most intimate prayer, the prayer on our behalf by the Holy Spirit, upon which Paul places the most emphasis.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that we really don’t know how to pray (either for ourselves or others) because of our broken natures. This condition, existing until our final redemption, renders us lacking perfect clarity of thinking about God and ourselves. Thus, the most potent prayer occurs by the indwelling Holy Spirit searching our souls and interceding for us with the Father. Here, now is prayer.
Here is real, potent, accurate communication directly to the Father about the absolute conidition of our hearts, minds, characters. He is speaking in words beyond our utterance about our needs and failures, about our true conditions. Here is utter transparency, a prayer without limits, in “groanings” too deep for words. This is the prayer for which I am most grateful.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul makes it clear that we really don’t know how to pray (either for ourselves or others) because of our broken natures. This condition, existing until our final redemption, renders us lacking perfect clarity of thinking about God and ourselves. Thus, the most potent prayer occurs by the indwelling Holy Spirit searching our souls and interceding for us with the Father. Here, now is prayer.
Here is real, potent, accurate communication directly to the Father about the absolute condition of our hearts, minds, characters. He is speaking in words beyond our utterance about our needs and failures, about our true conditions. Here is utter transparency, a prayer without limits, in “groanings” too deep for words. This is the prayer for which I am most grateful.
AMEN! Thank you for that elegant post, Dutchboy. I have never thought of prayer in those terms before. Because of your comment, I will now, and be the better for it.
Truly, the intercession of the Holy Spirit on our behalf is the most glorious prayer in this world.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." -- Romans 8:26-27"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.