“Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmity; for we know not 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). What on earth is Paul talking about here?

Paul had just said in vv.20-25 that the world in which we live was made subject to vanity (hopelessness) and bondage of corruption, that the whole creation groans and travails until now. Even we believers groan within ourselves, waiting for the delivery, which we continue to hope for. The “Likewise” connects verse 26 to the previous paragraph.

The great benefit we believers have over the hopeless world creation, is that we have a Helper, the Spirit of God, who “helps our infirmity” (weakness). When we’re caught in the hopelessness and unfairness of this lost world, “the Spirit Himself makes intercession (prays) for us“. And what kind of prayer? “With groanings which cannot be uttered“. No one can define that kind of prayer, though many have tried. Its not supposed to be understood by us.

The point is that God’s Spirit, being God in nature, communicates in a way our finite minds cannot grasp. But groanings always refers to agony. God’s Spirit grieves for our pain and injustice; and does something about it. I can expect results because the Spirit of the Living God intercedes for me. My faith doesn’t intercede, God’s Spirit does. My faith learns to rest in the Spirit’s prayer and workings. My faith reaches out in desperation to connect with the God who hides.

Draw close to the Lord today, unload your injustice and pain to Him, and watch what He does in your life.

Tags: Holy Spirit, prayer

Yesterday I met with a couple of other pastors at my house for a period of intense prayer. I appreciated this time because I wasn’t expected to lead anything; it was just a group of guys with common faith. At one point I was searching the scripture and asking God to provide some material things we needed at the church.

While I was voicing these requests, my eyes fell upon 2 Chronicles 2:7, where Solomon prayed, “Send me, therefore, a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in the art of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with my skilled craftsmen, whom my father, David, provided”.

Immediately, I knew what God was saying to me. He was staying, “Stop praying for material stuff; pray instead for people with a heart to serve the Lord, who will provide “the stuff”. God is always about people and their spiritual development, never about stuff. Jesus said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all this [stuff] will be added unto you”.

So, today I am praying for you, whoever reads this blog. I ask that God would enlarge your limits and expand your borders. I ask for a renewed spirit of excitement for serving Christ; that your fire would be rekindled. I pray that the Spirit of God would refresh your spirit and that God would prosper your way with peace and spiritual power. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Tags: people, prayer, suppky

Sunday afternoon at 3PM we’ll be meeting at the church for another prayer walk. This time it will be a lot warmer. We will be walking designated routes around the Town of Waterloo praying for peace and safety and protection for the police officers and firefighters who protect this town.

This time around we have two other churches who want to participate with us. Because we believe in prayer we see this as a great opportunity for breakthrough and making a difference in our community. Satan is bound in Jesus’ name, but some of his people don’t know it yet.

Our purpose is not to engage people in evangelism, but to pray for the neighborhoods. There is no reason to fear conflict. Let’s expect God to reveal some truths to us as we walk our routes. Last January, there were impressions people had of abuse and marriage difficulties in certain homes. They could “feel” it.

Please join me and other Christians as we cover the town of Waterloo.

Tags: prayer

In his book Growing Your Soul, Neil Wiseman writes, “Prayer must be more than a kind of restatement of fretting worries or a milling over of problems. Our petitions must move beyond gloomy desperation, which deals mostly with calamity and despair.”

In commenting on this, Joanie Yoder added, “During an anxious time in my life, I became a “Prayer Worrier.” I would beg, “Lord, please keep my neighbor from causing me problems tomorrow.” Or, “Father, don’t let that ornery person spread gossip about me.

“But then the Lord taught me to pray for people, rather than against them. I began to say, “Lord, bless and encourage my neighbor, and help him to sense your love.” Then I watched to see what God would do. The Lord’s amazing answers not only helped others but also helped to cure my own anxiety!

Paul said, “God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

Tags: prayer, spiritual warfare, worry

Its pleasantly relaxing to sit around a campfire and listen to the crackle of burning wood. I enjoy the smell of wood smoke, as long as its not in my eyes. I think most men find that calming and enjoyable.

I’ve noticed a strange thing happen in wood fires, though. On occasion, an eerie whistle may come from the depths of an inflamed timber. It can sound like a chirping bird, although no birds chirp in the dark. Where does that pleasant sound come from? Is it the echo of songbirds from long ago when that tree was a sapling?

No, we understand that the sound comes from escaping gases from deep within the wood itself. Yet, there may be a great spiritual lesson for each of us in that whistling sound. Perhaps it should remind us that in troubled times in our lives there should always be a song in our hearts. As a matter of fact, there has been no sweeter sound to God than my hurting heart’s cry to Him. It may sound sadistic, but God loves to hear our outcry to Him in times of trouble. And that broken cry for help moves His heart to respond.

Tags: fire, prayer, trials, trouble

People wait all year long for the county fair. Then, when it finally gets here, it rains all week! Kids that want to socialize, play the games and ride the rides either stay home or get soaked. The horse and pony competitions get stuck in the mud. What possible plan could God have for all this rain just as harvest season opens?

Perhaps the rain will drive people into the Industrial Tent where they will pass by the ‘Free Prayer’ booth and God will deal with their hearts. One person walked past and then stopped, looking back at the booth. “Can we pray with you about something?” asked the attendant. “No,” he replied as he walked on, “but I’ll be back.” We can only wonder what was going on in his mind at that point.

Another guy announced himself as an atheist and proceeded to debunk our idea of answered prayer. But he handed his business card to the attendant. I wonder what he thought the prayer booth attendant was going to do with that card?

Continue to pray this week as we see God’s still small voice speak to people where they are.

Tags: evangelism, Holy Spirit, prayer