DAILY PRAYER (BY SPURGEON)
Lord, you know the groanings of our heart; our prayers cannot express them: but we bless you that there is One who makes intercession for us, with groanings that cannot be uttered, who is with us, and dwells in us, and is promised to be with us forever.
We shall overcome, we shall win the victory, we shall rise superior to depression of spirit, we shall overcome the doubts, and fears, and tribulations of our inward heart—we shall overcome, for Christ does lead the way and victory lies in his cross; and we are sure of it, and therefore would we begin to sing the hymn of victory even now, saying—“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession” (2 Corinthians 2:14).
Amen.
VERSE OF THE DAY (COMMENTARY BY SPURGEON)
“In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.” (Romans 8:26)
I should have thought that it would have read, “But the Spirit itself teaches us what we should pray for.” But it does more than that. He goes beyond teaching us what we should pray for. He “intercedes for us, with inexpressible groanings.” Do you know what those groanings are? I am afraid that those who never had groanings which cannot be uttered will never know anything of that glory which cannot be expressed, for that is the way to it. The groanings that cannot be uttered lead on to unutterable joy.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Who is the Holy Spirit, anyway?
Today’s prayer celebrated the wonderful truth that God the Holy Spirit is praying for us. This can be a confusing topic for many Christians, because we often aren’t so sure we know who the Holy Spirit is. He’s not a positive energy or divine force — he is God himself.
A great book to understand and apply the Bible’s teaching on who the Holy Spirit is (and what he does) is Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton.
This book unpacks the Holy Spirit’s work throughout the Bible and in our lives today. It is thoroughly biblical and practical.
Knowing and loving the Holy Spirit is a crucial part of the Christian life. I know this book will be a helpful tool as you worship God the Holy Spirit — I hope you’ll grab a copy today.