14 day plan

God’s ways, our ways

Day 2 of 14

NIV

Romans 8:26-27

26In 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. 27And 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.

Reflection:

Sometimes, when we look back on our struggles, we can see God’s ways and purposes more clearly. But right in the middle of them, it’s hard.

I remember visiting our friend Mike while his wife, Toni, was in hospital, having an operation to plug the hole in her heart. Three months earlier, Mike and Toni had been holidaying in Perth, in their campervan, and while they were there, Toni had a stroke. They were 4,000 kilometres from home, and it was an extreme logistical challenge, finding good medical care and then journeying back to Sydney. But Mike told us about his prayer life. He said, “On days like today, with Toni in hospital, I know nothing. I don’t know what to pray, or how to pray. I groan. But I read the verse in Romans 8 and it’s helpful to me.” We agreed with Mike!

It’s an amazing truth, for all of us. Somehow, as we pray, God’s Spirit helps us in our weakness. He intercedes for us, when we know nothing, through wordless groans. Amazingly, the Spirit’s groanings are in accordance with God’s will. And we can rely on that truth. We, too, can relax our grip and breathe. We can lean into God, who searches and knows our hearts.

Prayer:

Lord, today I come to you, in weakness, and trembling. I know very little, but I thank you that your Spirit intercedes for me, with groaning, according to your will.