Our Prayer Partner

Illustration: Describe a time that you were at a loss for words.

• I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to pray.

— TENSION —

• As we discussed in our last session, the Holy Spirit is God's presence made personal.

• This means that God was with me as I sat in silence.

• This means that God is with you when you feel alone, discouraged, or devastated.

• This means that God is with you whenever you face the hardships of life.

• But, we must ask a tough question. In those moments, what is God doing?

• The Apostle Paul gives us the answer!

• While writing to the persecuted church in Rome, Paul explains two powerful ministries of the Holy Spirit.

• The truth that resonated with ancient believers in Rome also resonated with me while sitting silently in my room.

• And it will also resonate with you anytime you find yourself so lost that you’re at a loss for words.

• Turn with me in your Bibles to Romans chapter eight, we are going to look at verse 26.

• Hardships are inevitable. All of us are going to find ourselves at a loss for words from time to time.

• It’s an inescapable part of human existence.

• That’s why we, as a church, spend so much energy helping people learn how to deal with pain and suffering.

• Paul had the same mindset when leading the Roman church. He knew that suffering was inevitable, so He sought to give his friends comfort.

• That’s why He wrote Romans chapter eight — one of the most powerful chapters in the entire Bible.

• At the crescendo of this chapter, Paul gives us two key truths to help us when life feels hard.

The Holy Spirit Turns Your Groans Into Prayers

• Have you ever just sighed in disbelief? Through the Holy Spirit, God hears your cries, translates them, then brings them to the throne room of heaven.

• God transforms your groans, sighs, tears, and unspoken pain into prayers. You read that right. How amazing is that?

• Next time you're feeling overwhelmed, and you don't even know what to say, I encourage you to pray.

• Don't even try to come up with the words.

• Just cry out while reflecting on the reality of God's presence within you.

• Even without words, the Holy Spirit will work.

• Your ability to pray is not limited to your own words.

• God is not looking for complex explanations or clever phrases.

• He just wants you to posture your heart towards Him.

• The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

• When you don't know what to say — pray.

• Even when you don't have the words, The Holy Spirit hears your heart and presents them to our Father in Heaven. 

• God doesn’t just hear you, He also wants to help you. Which brings us to our second point.

The Holy Spirit Helps You

• Paul opens up this passage by saying, "the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.”

• Notice he doesn't say that God removes our weakness.

• It would be fantastic, but that's certainly not realistic.

• These verses reveal how God is our helper in times of weakness.

• In order to be helped through weakness, we have to experience it in the first place.

• Through the Spirit, God joins us in our weakness to help us grow through it as we go through it.

• We all need help.

• Whether it's help finding the words to pray, facing a terrifying medical diagnosis, making it through a difficult semester, or scaling an obstacle the size of Everest, we all need a partner in this journey called life.

• That's why God, through the Spirit, stepped out of heaven and into your heart. The help you need is right inside you.

• I am sorry to say this, but your life won't always be smooth sailing.

• Waves will rock you.

• Leaks will try to sink you.

• Storms will attempt to overpower you.

• Trials will attempt to overwhelm you, but they will never overcome you. Why?

• Because you have the Holy Spirit!

• The perfect helper.

• The presence of the living God.

• The power that raised Jesus from the dead.

• He is working on your behalf.

• There is nothing too big for you to battle, because we have a big God working within us.

Landing

• Ask God to show you that powerful presence.

• Maybe you have found yourself without words.

• Maybe you have found yourself reeling after difficult news.

• Maybe you have faced struggles bigger than you could have ever imagined.

• Maybe you have found yourself struggling to feel the presence of God.

• Even if you don't know the words, just pray. Help is on the way.

TALK IT OUT 

Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.

Ice Breaker: Introduce yourself and share this week’s highs and lows (the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week).

Q1: What did you learn about the Holy Spirit from this message?

Q2: Why does God gift us with the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts?

Q3: How can the Holy Spirit help you through challenging moments?

Q4: What questions do you have about the Holy Spirit helping us communicate with God?

READING PLAN

READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY

Acts 2:1-47

Joel 2:28-32

Psalm 16:8-11

Psalm 139:7-10

John 14:17

John 14:26

John 20:22

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.