Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. 

-Romans 8:26

Maybe you have heard it said, “We know what we know, but we don’t know everything there is to know.” It is true. All of us encounter situations where we don’t have the answers we need – and sometimes we don’t even know how to pray or what to pray for. Our God knows that about us, and He provided a way for us to pray what some would call the perfect prayer. Actually, He provided a “Who”-  the Holy Spirit.

Depending on the version of scripture you read, the Holy Spirit is described as one who intercedes for us, a helper, advocate, comforter, strengthener or counselor. And when you receive Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in you, and He brings all of who He is into everything you invite Him into. It is like being in a court of law and having the best lawyer anyone could ever have!

But you can also be baptized in the Holy Spirit and have the ability to pray in tongues. The “groanings that cannot be uttered” in this week’s verse refers to things that cannot be uttered in articulate speech. It doesn’t mean they aren’t uttered, but rather that they are not spoken in your regular language or manner of speaking. These utterances come from within you, out of your spirit and out of your mouth.  

When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit fills the gap between your knowledge of how or what to pray for and receiving what you need from God. Praying in tongues is that powerful!

If you already pray in tongues, be encouraged to do so often! If you have never prayed in tongues, why not ask God to baptize you in the Holy Spirit today?