Groaning: Romans 8:26

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When you are praying, the Holy Spirit is praying. When you are groaning, the Holy Spirit is groaning. That’s what Romans 8:26 teaches us in reference to Christ-followers. Those who have put their hope in Jesus have been set free from sin and death by the Holy Spirit and indwelt by him (v2, 9, 11). So, when we find ourselves in a tight spot, the Holy Spirit joins us in a prayer meeting each time we pray:

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26).

First, he helps us in our weakness. You aren’t a superhero. You don’t have to pretend for your sake or the Lord’s sake that all is just a-ok. You have limitations, weaknesses, wounds, failures, temptations, and sins. Cancer stinks. Addiction stinks. Relationships founder. Arguments happen. Mentors fail. Loneliness oppresses. Plans fall apart. Loved ones pass away. And so we groan, and the Spirit is here inside you to help you. After all, Jesus called him “the Helper” or “the Comforter” in John 14-15.

Second, we don’t have to know how to pray correctly. We know suffering is part of life, but we don’t like it. We didn’t know the suffering would be so bad. We didn’t know the suffering would leave us isolated. We didn’t think we’d go through this more than once. We thought we’d suffer, but never like this. We don’t understand what God is doing and feel doubt in our Beloved gnawing at us. So sometimes, we just don’t even know how to pray. We just lift up word pictures and feelings and groanings and confused rambles to heaven.

Third, the Holy Spirit himself intercedes. These groanings “too deep for words,” aren’t new words you are supposed to learn how to pray. That wouldn’t be restful or comforting, which is the clear intent of this verse. No, this verse doesn’t reference speaking in tongues. This verse says the Spirit himself, not you or me, begins praying on your behalf. It’s divine telepathy. It’s an intra-Trinitarian intercom. When you are praying, he is praying.

Fourth, the Holy Spirit groans. A groan is an involuntary emotional vocalized sigh. The Spirit is joining you in emotional solidarity. He feels your pain and joins you in your prayers. When you groan to heaven, he groans to heaven, interceding for you, calling attention to your needs.

You see Jesus groaning over Lazarus’ tomb in John 11:32-44. Mary didn’t know exactly the right thing to say. Then Jesus became deeply troubled, then wept, then prayed according to God’s will on her behalf. What you read Jesus doing then is what the Holy Spirit does now. Groan away, dear friend.