Holy Spirit, Pray Through Me

“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.” (Romans 8:26 NKJV)

Anyone who has lived enough years in the faith has encountered occasions where how to pray is unclear, whether a career decision, a relationship issue or any number of other conundrums we face throughout life. One of the most poignant, however, is when a fellow believer (friend, family member, etc.) is, “sick unto death.” We are enjoined to pray for the sick that they may recover (James 5:13-16) but encouraged also that we should not fear death. The Psalmist even says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints.” (Psalms 116:15 NKJV)

I recently experienced this in the illness and passing of a friend, David Darr. Only miraculous intervention would ever make him whole, not subject to boomeranging back and forth to the hospital, often near the point of death. His body and spirit were both tired of fighting. Other than palliative care (making him comfortable), there was little doctors could do. How does one pray for a believer friend in such a condition?

In my mind, I found myself praying simply that God would glorify Himself in David’s life. A divine deliverance would certainly fit that bill, as would ushering David into glory. That’s when the truth of this verse hit home. I allowed the Spirit to pray through me, which mostly involved quietly waiting on the Lord.

Sometimes we need to just be silent. From the phrase, “groanings which cannot be uttered,” it is fair to infer silence as appropriate, though we are actively praying in our spirit. Verse 26 explains how that kind of prayer works. “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 8:27 NKJV) I may not know God’s will in this situation but the Holy Spirit does and His intercession is always aligned with the will of God.

“Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalms 46:10 NKJV)

Wait upon the Lord. In so doing, we are essentially praying, “Father, we pray you have Your will in our lives. Accomplish Your purpose in and through us. Glorify Yourself in all You do through us.” At times like these the Lord would say to us, as He did to Israel, “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15 NKJV)