Our Helper in Prayer

ROMANS 8:26-27

Most Christians feel they need help in order to pray effectively. Even the apostle Paul admitted that he sometimes did not know how to petition the heavenly Father as he should. In the supernatural exchange between God and believers, the Spirit acts as a vehicle for our communication, laying our needs and desires before the Father.

We humans make our requests with a very limited knowledge of the future and an impaired sense of what is actually best for us. Consequently, circumstances arise that cause us to wonder how we should pray. All we know to ask is, "God, what is Your will?" The Holy Spirit, who knows the Father's plans for us, tells Him of our need for understanding.

God does not hide His will from us. He desires to equip believers with all the information necessary for making right decisions and for being continuously conformed to the likeness of His Son. Just as the Spirit carries our needs to God, He also clarifies the Father's will to us.

Some people find the power of prayer a bit intimidating— "Be careful what you pray, because you might get it," goes the old joke. Believers sometimes quit praying before receiving an answer because they are fearful of making the wrong request. However, the Holy Spirit's divine nature prevents Him from going before God with a petition that is outside the Father's plan. Instead, He intercedes to make the right request. He also impresses upon us the need to adjust our desires. Therefore, we can pray in every situation, knowing the Holy Spirit is our Helper.