I pray with a lot of people in the hospital and I’m always asking what people want me to pray for. You’d think they want me to pray for them to get better, and, quite often, they do, but it’s not uncommon for people to have no idea what they want me to pray for.
I just read a passage of scripture that I’ve read a thousand times before but it struck me in a new way. It’s Romans 8:26-28
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[i] have been called according to his purpose. [NASB]
Wow. God the Holy Spirit prays to God the Father for us, for exactly what we need, so that God the Father can bring about good for us.
So in those deep moments of agony when I don’t know even what to say to my Father, that’s okay, because the Holy Spirit knows exactly what to say and exactly what I need. So I can rest, and you can rest, in knowing that God is for us 100% of the time.
Written by : Nathan J. Anderson
I'm an author, husband, father and chaplain. I have worked with thousands of patients and families as they have dealt with death and dying. I have also had my own battle with death when I faced cancer in 2012. All of this has given me a unique perspective on life and life after death. I am a Christian and am passionate about helping people understand God's word and the possibility of living forever in paradise.
