Daily devotion – driven to prayer
The Spirit Intercedes for Us
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Today, our hearts are heavy with the knowledge that 101 Israeli hostages, including 10 women and a one-year-old baby, have been held in captivity by Hamas for 381 days. As we sit in relative peace here in Secret Harbour, Western Australia, with the sun shining and a light mist of rain falling, we are reminded that not everyone experiences such serenity. In Gaza, in the dark, those hostages sit in fear, uncertain of their future.
There are moments in our walk with God when we feel overwhelmed by the burden to pray, yet we do not know how to express the deep anguish and concern we feel. This is one of those times. The families of the hostages are suffering, and the hostages themselves, particularly that innocent baby, are enduring unimaginable hardship.
But in these moments, when our own words fall short, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Romans 8:26 reminds us that when we are too weak or too burdened to know what to pray for, the Spirit Himself prays on our behalf with groanings too deep for words. What an incredible comfort to know that the Holy Spirit carries our prayers directly to the Father, even when we struggle to articulate them.
Let us come before God with fervent hearts, asking Him to miraculously free these captives, to return them safely to their families, and to fill them with His comfort and peace. We pray for protection over them, that in their darkest hour, they will feel the presence of the Lord with them.
As Jesus said in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”
May we cling to this promise, knowing that Jesus came to set the captives free.
Today, as we reflect on the plight of these hostages, let’s allow this burden to drive us to our knees in prayer, trusting that God hears us and that His Spirit is moving on behalf of those who cannot pray for themselves.
And let us remain watchful, for Jesus is coming soon. Let this truth strengthen and encourage us as we continue to seek His will and intercede for those in desperate need.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.