Spiritual Message from Fr Elijah:
In the book of Romans we read:
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
About this passage St John Chrysostom writes: “Paul is here describing the spiritual man who has the gift of prayer. He does not inform God as if God were ignorant but intercedes so that we may learn what it is that we should pray for and to ask God to give us things which are pleasing to him.… These prayers are heard, because the man who prays them is doing so “according to the will of God.”
God knows the things we need before we ask Him (Matt 6:8) and does not need us to inform Him of details when we pray. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray, and when we do, don’t know what to say.
These verses are a source of comfort and direction. Comfort because the Spirit intercedes for us and direction in that our prayer should be asking for things that please God.
The very next verse in the passage is a beautiful reminder of the protection those that love the Lord have from the ups and downs of this world:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28