(Sermon Notes for Sunday, 12 October 2025)
THE GROANINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Our Prayer Partner
(Part 2)
Romans 8:26-27 (NASB)
26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
26 Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Life in this broken world leaves us longing for redemption. In today’s passage, we learn that the Holy Spirit also groans on our behalf—a powerful truth of God’s help in our weakness. Let’s unpack, verse-by-verse, Romans 8:26-27
Allow me to begin by saying, “We all need others to pray for us!” Sometimes we lose sight of the big picture that God is always ultimately at work as a result to prayer. How much more so when God prays for us!
In this passage of Scripture, it’s the Spirit of God, the third Person of the Godhead that is praying for us! That’s the focus of this passage of Scripture: "The prayers of the third Person of the Trinity, to the first Person of the Trinity on our behalf, regarding our sanctification and our moving forward in our Christian lives."
Outline for Romans 8:26-27:
1. The Involvement of the Spirit (v 26a) "...the Spirit also helps our weakness..."
2. The Intercession of the Spirit (v 26b) "...but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
3. The Intelligence of the Spirit (v 27) "...knows what the mind of the Spirit is..."
Allow me to begin by saying, “We all need others to pray for us!” Sometimes we lose sight of the big picture that God is always ultimately at work as a result to prayer. How much more so when God prays for us!
In this passage of Scripture, it’s the Spirit of God, the third Person of the Godhead that is praying for us! That’s the focus of this passage of Scripture: "The prayers of the third Person of the Trinity, to the first Person of the Trinity on our behalf, regarding our sanctification and our moving forward in our Christian lives."
Outline for Romans 8:26-27:
1. The Involvement of the Spirit (v 26a) "...the Spirit also helps our weakness..."
2. The Intercession of the Spirit (v 26b) "...but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
3. The Intelligence of the Spirit (v 27) "...knows what the mind of the Spirit is..."
1. The INVOLVEMENT of the Spirit (v 26a)
Romans 8:26a (NASB) Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should…
The Spirit is intimately, personally, continually, constantly involved in our Spiritual lives; specifically with our sanctification.
"Now in the same way..."
This points back to verses 18-25. Paul writes about:
This continues the same train of thought of Romans 8:18 (NASB) "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Paul is not introducing a new subject. He says in (vs 26) "Now in the same way the Spirit also helps…" The Spirit of God is the primary Agent in our sanctification! The Spirit of God indwells us, and is at work within us.
- the Groanings of CREATION (vs. 18-22)
- the Groanings of CHRISTIANS (vs. 23-25)
- the Groanings of the COMFORTER (vs. 26-27)
This continues the same train of thought of Romans 8:18 (NASB) "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
Paul is not introducing a new subject. He says in (vs 26) "Now in the same way the Spirit also helps…" The Spirit of God is the primary Agent in our sanctification! The Spirit of God indwells us, and is at work within us.
"...the Spirit also helps..."
Romans 8:26 (NASB) "Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should…"
The word “also” is important. We have been helped by the “future glory” that is ahead of us. We have the hope of the future glory! Waiting requires hope rooted in God’s promises. “The Spirit also helps!” But it’s not just what lies before us, but Who lives within us!
"...the Spirit also helps..."
Romans 8:26 (NASB) "Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should…"
The word “helps” doesn’t quite explain what the Holy Spirit is doing. It’s a stronger word. In the Greek, the word "helps" is actually three words combined together to make one compound word. It has one root word and two prefixes. In the Greek language, if you want to “intensify” a word, you front-load the root word with a prefix. Well, the Apostle Paul placed two prefixes in front of this root word!
The root word means: "to lay hold of something; to literally grab it in your hands; to carry it."
The two prefixes means: 1) "with; or along with;" 2) "in the place of."
Put all this together and "helps" means: The Holy Spirit literally lays hold of us - powerfully - and pulls us along in the Christian life.
The idea is this: we are still very much involved in our own sanctification, in our Christian life. But beneath our feet is the Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit who literally is laying hold of us and pulling us forward in a very powerful way!
John 15:5 (NASB) "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Philippians 4:13 (NASB) "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
The root word means: "to lay hold of something; to literally grab it in your hands; to carry it."
The two prefixes means: 1) "with; or along with;" 2) "in the place of."
Put all this together and "helps" means: The Holy Spirit literally lays hold of us - powerfully - and pulls us along in the Christian life.
The idea is this: we are still very much involved in our own sanctification, in our Christian life. But beneath our feet is the Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit who literally is laying hold of us and pulling us forward in a very powerful way!
John 15:5 (NASB) "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Philippians 4:13 (NASB) "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
The verb "helps" in the Greek
Let’s unpack this Greek root word a little more, it brings out the richness of the meaning:
1. PRESENT TENSE
It’s in the present tense – constantly, continuously, every moment of every day the Holy Spirit is helping us in our Christian life.
2. ACTIVE VOICE
It's in the active voice. This means the Holy Spirit is dynamically active in your life.
3. INDICATIVE MOOD
It's in the indicative mood, which simply means it is a statement of fact! There are no conditions to be met. It is a matter of fact!
Romans 8:26-27 is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:20b (NASB) "…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus is seated by the right hand of God the Father. How then is He with us always? By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who has taken up His Royal Residence in our heart and soul.
1. PRESENT TENSE
It’s in the present tense – constantly, continuously, every moment of every day the Holy Spirit is helping us in our Christian life.
2. ACTIVE VOICE
It's in the active voice. This means the Holy Spirit is dynamically active in your life.
3. INDICATIVE MOOD
It's in the indicative mood, which simply means it is a statement of fact! There are no conditions to be met. It is a matter of fact!
Romans 8:26-27 is the fulfillment of Matthew 28:20b (NASB) "…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Jesus is seated by the right hand of God the Father. How then is He with us always? By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who has taken up His Royal Residence in our heart and soul.
...the Spirit also helps our weakness...
Romans 8:26 (NASB) Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should…
"Our" – refers to all believers – every believer – including the Apostle Paul!
"Weak" – means helpless, infirmity, a disability (spiritual disability)
What is this weakness?
1. Mental Weakness - We do not even know how to pray…we have limited understanding…
2. Emotional Weakness - Sometimes we become so discouraged, we lose heart that we just give up praying!
3. Physical Weakness - There are times in our Christian life where we are just too tired to even pray!
But here’s what you need to know: the Spirit of God is constantly and continually pleading to God the Father on your behalf, for His glory and for your good!
"Weak" – means helpless, infirmity, a disability (spiritual disability)
What is this weakness?
1. Mental Weakness - We do not even know how to pray…we have limited understanding…
2. Emotional Weakness - Sometimes we become so discouraged, we lose heart that we just give up praying!
3. Physical Weakness - There are times in our Christian life where we are just too tired to even pray!
But here’s what you need to know: the Spirit of God is constantly and continually pleading to God the Father on your behalf, for His glory and for your good!
… for we do not know what to pray for as we should…
Romans 8:26a (NASB) Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should…
Who is the "we?"
The "we" refers to you and me – and the Apostle Paul includes himself!
The “we” refers to…
The “we” is obviously believers!
Two examples from the life of the Apostle Paul when he did not know how to pray:
EXAMPLE #1 – Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV) So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
EXAMPLE #2 – Paul’s First Imprisonment in Rome
Philippians 1:21-23a (NLT) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…
Paul really did not know which way to go; to Heaven or stay in Rome in prison?
We need the Spirit’s help in order to know how to pray!
Let me encourage you! You have someone at work in your life, constantly helping you live your Christian life in a victorious way – that someone is the Holy Spirit!
The "we" refers to you and me – and the Apostle Paul includes himself!
The “we” refers to…
- Vs 19 – the sons of God
- Vs 23 – those who have the adoption as sons
- Vs 24 – those who have been saved
- Vs 25 – those who hope for what we do not see (believers – not unbelievers)
- Vs 27 – the saints
- Vs 28 – those who love God and are called according to His purpose
- Vs 29 – those he foreknew he predestined
The “we” is obviously believers!
Two examples from the life of the Apostle Paul when he did not know how to pray:
EXAMPLE #1 – Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (ESV) So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
EXAMPLE #2 – Paul’s First Imprisonment in Rome
Philippians 1:21-23a (NLT) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…
Paul really did not know which way to go; to Heaven or stay in Rome in prison?
We need the Spirit’s help in order to know how to pray!
Let me encourage you! You have someone at work in your life, constantly helping you live your Christian life in a victorious way – that someone is the Holy Spirit!
Will you give your life to Jesus today?
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
Assurance of Salvation
If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
If you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, please complete the Connection Card below and watch the "Bridge Illustration" video at the bottom of this post.
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