The Spirit Helping Our Infirmities
J. Bowers. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought… I. THE CHRISTIAN INFIRMITIES IN PRAYER. The word means weakness, sickness, and intimates debility in our moral constitution. The diseases of our nature once produced moral death. In the process of regeneration our recovery commences; but the condition of the patient is that of great infirmity; this is seen especially in the duty of prayer. His spirit is faint, his desires are languid, his efforts are feeble. This infirmity appears — 1. In our ignorance of the proper subject of prayer. "We know not what to pray for." "Lord, teach us to pray." This appears in our supplication — (1) For the blessings of providence. We are mercifully permitted to make these the subject of prayer (Philippians 4:6). But who knoweth what is good for man? The events of Providence form a system of moral discipline by which God would train us for His service on earth, and prepare us for the enjoyment of His presence in heaven. Now in what danger are we, by our prayers, of interfering with God's plans, and of asking what may be injurious to us, and deprecating what may be good to us. God gave Israel their desire, but He sent leanness into their souls. St. Paul, smarting under the anguish of the thorn in the flesh, prayed thrice that it might depart from him; but God knew better than His servant did what was good for him. (2) Spiritual blessings. The Word of God presents us with an almost infinite variety of topics for prayer. But how often none of these are present to the mind; how often the thoughts are distracted! 2. Our want of the proper spirit of prayer. "We know not what to pray for as we ought." We ought to pray — (1) With the profoundest reverence, But how often we come under the influence of feelings, light, careless, undevout! (2) With the deepest humility. But how often do we pray with a heart cold — aye, proud, impenitent, insensible. (3) With the greatest importunity; for the blessings we seek are of great magnitude — the evils we deprecate are of the greatest duration. But how often do our feelings almost expire through our weakness! (4) In faith, for "he that cometh to God must believe that He is," etc., and in the power of, and in reliance on, Christ. But how often do we question these, and thus expect but seldom the blessings we supplicate! (5) With infinite perseverance, knowing that it will come, though the blessing be delayed. But how often do we grow weary and faint in our minds! II. THE GRACIOUS SUCCOURS, WHICH, IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS DUTY, THE CHRISTIAN DERIVES FROM THE AGENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. He "helpeth our infirmities," He bears them with us. He does not intend to supersede human agency, but to excite, invigorate, encourage. He will not work without you, you cannot work without Him; but you are to be co-workers. He "maketh intercession for us," by helping us to make intercession for ourselves (ver. 15; cf. Galatians 4:6). The Spirit helpeth our infirmities by — 1. Exciting us to prayer. Subduing our natural repugnance, convincing us of the advantages and efficacy of prayer, and implanting within us those affections which dispose us to pray. 2. Impressing us in prayer with an affecting consciousness of our wants. Our fervour will be in proportion to our sense of want. It is part of the Spirit's office to produce an urgent conviction of want. If evils are concealed, the Spirit shows man to himself, and places before him attractive in array those blessings adapted to the supply of his wants. 3. Imparting to us importunity in prayer "with groanings which cannot be uttered." It was thus that the cruelties endured by the Israelites could not be told in words, but it is said their groanings reached the ears and pierced the heart of God. It was thus that David said, "Lord... my groaning is not hid from Thee," and that Christ "groaned in spirit, and was troubled." So the whole creation is represented as groaning. And Christians "groan within themselves, groan being burdened," till mortality is swallowed up of life. The Christian's life is a conflict; and often his sorrows and desires are too big for utterance; there is a feeling, deep, complicated, unutterable, which God only can understand. And He understandeth it, because He knoweth the mind of that Spirit, which maketh intercession for the saints with groanings which cannot be uttered. 4. Presenting to the mind encouraging views of the mediation of Christ in prayer. He helps our infirmities by enabling us to plead the blood, and to rely on the sacrifice of the Son of God. 5. Inspiring us with confidence in the Divine promises. 6. Making the duty exceedingly delightful to us. When we pray without the Spirit our prayers are formal, lifeless, insipid, a drudgery. But if we pray under His direction, we engage in the most delightful exercise. The scene of prayer becomes the gate of heaven. 7. Securing the success of our prayers. There is an inseparable oneness between the mind of the Spirit and the will of the Father. If you pray for things which are not according to the will of God, the Holy Spirit does not authorise it, because God cannot deny Himself. But if you are under His agency, you are sure to attain what you pray for. (J. Bowers.) Parallel Verses KJV: Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. WEB: In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered.