Wordless Prayers

[stephen]

"We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered"
Romans 8:26

The general ministry of the Holy Spirit in Christian prayer is much neglected. Scripture clearly teaches that our access to the Father is not only through the Son, but by the Spirit: the Holy Spirit's inspiration is as necessary as the Son's mediation, in our access to God in prayer.

In the above verse the Holy Spirit's ministry in the Christian's prayer life is much more specific. It would indicate that there are times when a believer may not be able to communicate prayer in words, so they they groan without words. Sometimes we find ourselves brought to silence by the intensity of our longings. Or we may feel so burdened by our mortality, or by our indwelling sin, that we can only groan.

Notice these groanings - we can only groan "with sighs too deep for words" (RSV) Now these unutterable sighs, or groans - what J.B.Phillips calls "those agonising longings which never find words" - are not to be despised, as if we ought to put them into language. On the contrary, when prayerful communication with the Father becomes so intense, and we sigh with inarticulate longings and desires, it is the Holy Spirit Himself interceding on our behalf prompting those groans.

God the Father understands prayers which are sighed rather than said, because God searches our hearts, can read our hearts and thoughts and knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit always prays in accordance with the will of God v 27. And so our Father in heaven answers the prayer prompted by the Spirit in our hearts

"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed.........."

 

[justsavedvince]

"We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered"
Romans 8:26

The general ministry of the Holy Spirit in Christian prayer is much neglected. Scripture clearly teaches that our access to the Father is not only through the Son, but by the Spirit: the Holy Spirit's inspiration is as necessary as the Son's mediation, in our access to God in prayer.

Does this verse only imply prayer? The first time I read through it, I could see how someone could mistake it as meaning that Jesus isn't the only way to have access to the Father as in getting to heaven; the Spirit can also save people. If that is the case, that would contradict John 14:6 which says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The reason I'm asking for clarification is because there are several people I know that think you can get to heaven by things the Spirit does and you don't have to believe in Jesus.

Thank you for your post and helping me out with this.

 

[ladylovesJesus]

The reason I'm asking for clarification is because there are several people I know that think you can get to heaven by things the Spirit does and you don't have to believe in Jesus.

Acts 16.

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Eph.2.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


John 3.16.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


John 14.

Jesus the Way to the Father
5Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."
These scriptures show clearly that one has to be born again through Jesus.

The Holy Spirit will convict someone that they need Jesus in their hearts.

God bless :rainbow: :rose:

 

[stephen]

Does this verse only imply prayer? The first time I read through it, I could see how someone could mistake it as meaning that Jesus isn't the only way to have access to the Father as in getting to heaven; the Spirit can also save people. If that is the case, that would contradict John 14:6 which says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

The reason I'm asking for clarification is because there are several people I know that think you can get to heaven by things the Spirit does and you don't have to believe in Jesus.

Thank you for your post and helping me out with this.

This passage of scripture is relating to intercession.....To travail in prayer. To prayerful commion with the Lord. "We know not what we should pray for as we ought" ......"but the Spirit Himself.......maketh intercession......." It is not relating to the experience of Salvation in any way whatsoever.

Jesus said "I am the door, by me if any man enter in he will be saved" Many ways lead to Christ....but only Christ the door leads to God....

"Neither is there Salvation in any other............." says the scripture

Repentance is the first step. The word repentance means to turn, to take a new direction. This can only be done by trusting in Jesus for the salvation he purchased for us on Calvery's cross.

Salvation is the initial step.........the verse I have quoted speaks of an experience following salvation.

Hope this is clear.....God Bless You

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Vince,

The verse I have in mind for your query is John 10:9, which says "(Jesus said) I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved."

Access to the Holy Spirit is closed to us until we pass through the Gate of Salvation. i.e. Jesus Christ.

SLE