He Maketh Intercession

Romans 8:27

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.

Paul tells us that we have two people to intercede for us in our prayers. First, we have the Holy Spirit who maketh intercession for us. Verse 26 says, the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. So it is critical for us to understand that the Holy Spirit is not just there to guide us, but He is also there to intercede for us when we pray. However, in the verse above, we also see that Jesus intercedes for us in prayer. Notice that it says, he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints. Who is this One that searches the hearts? Verse 34 teaches us that it is Christ. Therefore, we have both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ making intercession for us when we pray.

What is the purpose of both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ making intercession for us? The answer is found in verse 28. This verse says, 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. The purpose is so that all things work together for good. In other words, when I pray in the Spirit and with Christ’s help, He allows all things to work together for good. Here is the key to this truth. God says that all things work together. What are all things?

First, our infirmities are included in all things. Our infirmities are our weaknesses. How many times have you prayed when you feel like you don't deserve to have the right to pray? Oh, my friend, we have the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ to help us in our prayers, even when our infirmities have controlled us instead of the Holy Spirit controlling us. One thing you must always remember is that we never deserve the right to pray. The only reason we deserve the right to pray is because of Jesus Christ. Arrogance is what makes us feel as if we have a right to bring our petitions to God; whereas, humility and grace are what remind us that the only reason we DO have a right to pray is because of Christ. Therefore, when you have done something wrong that tries to keep you from praying, remember that our infirmities, working with the intercessory help of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, are what make all things work together for good.

Second, not knowing what to pray for is included in all things. Verse 26 says, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought. There have been many times when I've prayed that I don't know what to pray for. My friend, this is where the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ come to help you pray. They take what you don't know how to pray for and intercede for you so that your prayer can be answered according to the will of God. Our prayers are not answered because of our ability to pray, but because of the intercessory work of the Holy Spirit and Christ.

Prayer is no doubt one of the areas where many believers struggle. Let me remind you that your ability to pray is not what get prayers answered, but it is the ability of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ taking your infirmities and lack of knowing what to pray for, and working it all together to gets your prayers answered. Our job in this whole mix is to love God, do His will, and pray to the best of our ability, and the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God the Father will mix these ingredients together to make good out of our prayers.