Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 16:25:39 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Feb. 22); BP: Rom. 8:18-30; RBTTY: Mk. 3:20-35; Num.
February 22 “Our Prayer Assistant”
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities—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. And, He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
When we don’t know what to say, He says, “That’s okay; let Me.”
Have there ever been times while praying when your mind was racing 90-to-nothing and you had difficulty focusing? Or, have you found yourself being so weary that you even nodded off while talking with God?
If so, today’s Manna is definitely for you. . .and you. . .and you. . .and me.
Prayer is unnatural. It’s difficult. It’s awkward.
Well, let’s just go ahead and be honest: “It’s IMPOSSIBLE!”. . .in our own strength.
But, that’s why the Heavenly Father has graciously given us His Holy Spirit (which is basically Himself) to assist us.
The Lord knows we need help, don’t we?
Assuredly He does. He knows our “infirmities” (Grk. “astheneia”—“feebleness of mind or body, malady, frailty, weaknesses, etc.”) and inability to “pray as we ought (Grk. ‘dei’—‘as necessary, should, appropriate, etc.’).” He also knows it’s impossible in our own strength to “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17), for we “pray amiss, that we may consume it upon our own lusts” (James 4:3).
That’s why we must ask/allow “the Spirit to help us”—for He’s able to “make intercession for us according to the will of God.” Simply put, He knows what God wants and what’s best for us; so, He’ll take our petitions, spiritually tweak them and then present them in a way perfectly suited to accomplish the Father’s will in every way.
Although His final request may be different than ours, it’s always the “right” one. And, He does it “with groanings which cannot be uttered.” What does that mean? Simply this: This phrase basically means “baffled sighs of emotion or exasperation that spring from the depths when perplexed, troubled, in despair, etc.” Thus, as Spurgeon said, “Our tears are briny rivulets of prayer that point us to God’s Throne of Grace.” Or, that weary sigh that erupts when we find ourselves at “Wits’ End Corner” (Ps. 107:27) is another “groaning” the Spirit can use. Thus, there shouldn’t be a time when we can’t “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17)—for quite often these “prayers” arise in most unusual ways! Hallelujah!!
Aren’t you glad for this, Pilgrim?
No doubt you are. And rightfully so.
It’s hard enough trying to pray on our own; however, when today’s “Morning Manna” becomes real to us we’ll begin feeling an Unseen Arm lovingly caressing us when we feel more like crying than we do praying. And, it’s in those times when our Prayer Assistant takes over that we can rest assured the Father hears us (I Jn. 5:14-15).
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