Introduction: The Struggle of the Praying Believer
One of the most honest confessions of the Christian life is this:
“I don’t even know what to pray.”
There are seasons when pain is deeper than words, confusion is stronger than faith language, and the heart is burdened beyond articulation. It is precisely into this human weakness that the Apostle Paul speaks in Romans 8:26–28, unveiling one of the most comforting doctrines in Scripture: the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26–28 (KJV)
26 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.
27 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.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
This passage forms a divine chain:
Human weakness → Holy Spirit intercession → God’s will → God’s purpose → God’s good.
Verse 26 – “The Spirit Also Helpeth Our Infirmities”
“Helpeth” – Synantilambanetai (συναντιλαμβάνεται)
From Strong’s Concordance (G4878), this Greek word means:
“to take hold together with, to carry a burden jointly.”
It does not mean the Spirit replaces us.
It means the Spirit comes alongside and lifts what we cannot carry.
Picture two people lifting a heavy object. One is collapsing under the weight. The other steps in, grabs the same burden, and bears it with him.
That is the Holy Spirit in prayer.
“Infirmities” – Astheneia (ἀσθένεια)
From Vine’s Expository Dictionary:
This word refers to weakness, incapacity, limitation, fragility.
Not just physical weakness.
It includes: emotional exhaustion, mental confusion, spiritual weariness, ignorance of God’s will.
Paul is not saying we are sinful here.
He is saying we are limited.
The Spirit does not assist our sin; He assists our weakness.
“We Know Not What We Should Pray For”
This is one of the most liberating verses in Scripture.
Even mature believers often: pray wrongly (James 4:3), pray shallowly, pray selfishly, pray without understanding divine timing.
God is not offended by your ignorance. He anticipated it — and made provision.
“The Spirit Maketh Intercession for Us”
Intercession – Hyperentygchanei (ὑπερεντυγχάνει)
This word means: “to plead on behalf of another.”
The Holy Spirit: translates your pain into prayer, converts your groans into divine petitions, aligns your emotions with God’s eternal counsel.
This is different from Christ’s intercession.
Christ Intercedes:
– At God’s right hand (Romans 8:34)
– Based on finished redemption
Holy Spirit Intercedes Inside the believer:
– Based on present weakness
– Legal advocate
– Internal interpreter
You are surrounded by intercession:
Christ above you. The Spirit within you.
“With Groanings Which Cannot Be Uttered”
These groanings are not tongues. They are pre-verbal spiritual expressions.
Matthew Henry writes:
“These groans are not spoken by us, but by the Spirit in us, working desires beyond our own understanding.”
They are: sighs God understands, pain God can decode, burdens God Himself authored.
This is prayer at a level deeper than language.
Verse 27 – “According to the Will of God”
This is the most important line in the text.
– The Spirit does not pray emotionally.
– He does not pray traditionally.
– He does not pray religiously.
– He prays judicially — according to God’s will.
That means:
– Every prayer the Spirit makes is already approved.
– Every request is aligned with eternity.
– Every intercession carries divine authority.
So even when you pray wrongly, the Spirit prays rightly for you.
Verse 28 – “All Things Work Together for Good”
This is not a motivational slogan. It is a theological conclusion. Because the Spirit intercedes, according to God’s will, for God’s purpose,
Therefore:
All things must eventually cooperate with good.
Not all things are good. But all things are recruited by God.
– Pain becomes a servant.
– Loss becomes a messenger.
– Delay becomes an instrument.
“To Them That Love God”
This promise is not universal. It is covenantal.
It applies to: lovers of God, submitted believers, those walking in divine purpose.
– Not to casual Christians.
– Not to religious spectators.
– But to those in relational alignment.
“Called According to His Purpose”
The Greek word for purpose is prothesis — divine blueprint.
God does not improvise with your life. He executes eternal design.
– Your struggles are not random.
– Your prayers are not wasted.
– Your pain is not meaningless.
Everything is feeding into a sovereign narrative.
Theological Summary
Romans 8:26–28 teaches five eternal truths:
1. You are limited — but not alone.
2. Prayer is bigger than vocabulary.
3. The Spirit prays better than you.
4. God’s will governs your weakness.
5. Nothing in your life is wasted.
Application: How Should This Change Your Prayer Life?
1. Stop trying to sound spiritual
God responds to sincerity, not eloquence.
2. Pray even when confused
Silence plus faith is still prayer.
3. Trust divine interpretation
What reaches heaven is not always what left your mouth.
4. Rest in divine outcome
You don’t need to control the result — God already does.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the Holy Spirit who prays when I cannot.
When my words fail, my strength collapses, and my understanding ends —
let Your Spirit speak for me.
Align my life with Your will,
and fulfil Your purpose through every season.
I rest in the assurance that nothing in my life is wasted.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
A Call to Salvation: When the Spirit Is Calling You
Everything you have just read about the Holy Spirit’s help, intercession, and divine purpose is only fully accessible in Christ.
Romans 8 is written to believers — people who are already reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Outside of Christ, the Spirit may convict you, but He does not indwell you. Inside Christ, the Spirit becomes your Helper, Intercessor, Guide, and Strength.
The greatest prayer the Holy Spirit will ever lead you to pray is not first about your situation — it is about your salvation.
The Bible says:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Sin separates man from God.
Good works cannot bridge that gap.
Religion cannot remove guilt.
Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse the heart.
Jesus did not come to improve your life.
He came to save your soul.
If You Are Not Born Again, Pray This Now
This is not a religious ritual.
This is a heart transaction with God.
Say this prayer aloud and mean it from your heart:
Lord Jesus,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner.
I cannot save myself.
I believe You died for my sins
and rose again for my justification.
Today, I repent of my sins
and I receive You as my Lord and my Saviour.
Wash me with Your blood.
Make me a new creation.
I surrender my life to You.
From today, I belong to You.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, the Bible says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You are now saved.
You are forgiven.
You are born again.
Next Step: Join a Living Church Family
Salvation is the beginning, not the end.
You need teaching, fellowship, and spiritual covering to grow.
We warmly invite you to join us at:
The Dream Centre of the Life Oasis International Church
This is a Word-based, Spirit-filled church where you will grow in the knowledge of God, be established in truth, discover your calling and purpose, and walk in the reality of the Christian life.
Connect With Us:
🌐 Website: http://www.dreamcentreoftheloic.org
📺 YouTube (Live Services): youtube.com/DreamCentreLiveSTREAMING/live
📻 DCIRadio: dciradio.org
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/ReverendAreogun
📡 Mixlr: mixlr.com/reverendareogun
📲 Telegram: t.me/DCNewLiveUpdates?livestream
📧 Email: info@dreamcentre.org
📞 Phone: +2348037252124
Final Word
The Spirit has been helping you read this.
The Spirit has been stirring your heart.
The Spirit has been drawing you to truth.
Do not resist Him.
This is not an accident.
This is a divine appointment.
This is your moment.
Welcome to the family of God.
Final Thought
You may not know what to pray — but Heaven already knows what you need.
And the Holy Spirit is making sure the two meet.
The Message Bearer (SmilingPreacher), Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 