Introduction: Have you ever not known how to pray or what to pray? It happens. So what should we do? The apostle Paul gives us some insight as to what we need to do.

1. Our need! (Rom 8:26)

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.”

Do you see the word “infirmities”? What does it mean? The word is ἀσθένεια, (as-then’-i-ah). It means want of strength, or even weakness, illness, suffering, calamity, or it can even refer to frailty. That covers a lot of ground! Certainly, we have all been at these different places at one time or another.

2. The Spirit’s help! (Rom 8:27)

“27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The word intercession means to make petition. In other words, to pray in behalf. The word groanings means sighing. The words cannot be uttered means unexpressed or that baffles words.

Sometimes this is the case. Do you Remember when Jesus Christ groaned in His spirit as He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane? At times, we can only groan. Our Lord knows our heart.