Subject: “The Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses”
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
1. Essential Lessons about Prayer
a) From the teachings of the Lord Jesus
i) How not to pray (Matthew 6:5, 7)
ii) How to pray (Matthew 6:6, 8)
iii) The Model Prayer (The Lord’s Prayer) (Matthew 6:9-13)
b) Encouragement to pray
i) ASK
ii) Good things from God the Father (Matthew 7:7-11)
c) We have ample knowledge given
i) Corrective
ii) Directive
iii) Instructive
iv) Inspirational
2. Still, we have difficulties in praying
a) Weaknesses
b) Lack of knowledge
c) Uncertainty
d) Unbelief
e) Presumption
f) Inconsistency
3. The Holy Spirit’s Role in Prayer
a) His Intercession
b) We are unable to fully ascertain how He intercedes
i) He prays with groanings that cannot be uttered
ii) There is a depth of prayer we cannot fully comprehend
c) The Spirit as Deity
i) God knows the mind of the Spirit
ii) He responds to the intercession of the Spirit
iii) He will always pray according to the will of God
4. Prayer
a) A difficult spiritual discipline to master
b) Many mistakes made
c) Many problems encountered
d) But prayer can and must be learned
e) It is always a humbling experience
5. What it takes to cultivate a meaningful prayer life