groaners
"The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings." —Romans 8:26
One of the most encouraging promises in Scripture is: "We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love" Him (Rm 8:28). The Lord has promised to transform even the worst things for the good of those who love Him. This happens by God's grace and our faith, and our faith will often be expressed by obedience to God, especially in prayer. We need to claim by prayer God's promise that all things will work together for our good. We don't know how to do this, but the Spirit "helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech" (Rm 8:26).
The Spirit will teach us how to pray by teaching us how to groan. In other words, He will transform our hearts to desire deeply what He wants. This deep desire for God's will to be done can be expressed in speech only to a limited degree. It must also be expressed in groans from deep within our hearts. This is not the gift of tongues but the gift of groans, although these two gifts often go together. When we groan in the Spirit, we will be expressing our faith that God will make all things work together for our good, and we will see it happen.
Prayer: Father, give me Your heart and the spiritual gift of groaning.
Promise: "Try to come in through the narrow door." —Lk 13:24
Praise: Often Anna cannot find the words to pray. She then prays without words, trusting that God hears her wordless prayers.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Lord Teach Us to Pray on audio AV 57-3 or video V-57.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 21, 2005
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