Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart:

Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

God has unique designs with every one of us–to so arrange our environment and circumstances that we would be brought on to conformity to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29). 

Thus, there is the intercession of the Spirit with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

Due to our weakness, we do not know how to pray as we ought. 

Verse 26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities (weaknesses). For we do not know what. . .” 

In the original Greek, the definite article “the” is before the word “what.” 

Thus it would read “We do not know the what we should pray for as we ought.”

Now, what is the what? 

According to the context of this passage, the what refers to the specific things that are divinely arranged to take place in our environment. 

Whatever these things turn out to be, they are working together for good–to cause us to be more conformed to the image of God’s Son. 

They may include what we would consider negative. 

They may be specific things and situations that are contrary to what we would choose or prefer. 

Hebrews 12 tells us that these environmental things are our discipline under the Lord’s hand. 

The discipline may come in the form of a physical problem. 

It may be a family problem. 

It may be a job problem. 

It may be some pressure in your marriage relationship. 

It may be pressure in other relationships. 

The Lord knows exactly what every one of us needs.

Until Tomorrow 

With a Shepherd’s Love

Pastor

TODAY’S PRAYER LIST

Bill Lawhead – Hospice

Richard Blount 

The Bankston Family 

The Graham Family – Brandon’s Friends

Amy Garner’s Mother/Dad  

Ashley Burn’s Sisters

Barbara Shed’s Family 

Bill Moody 

Carol Lawhead’s Brother 

Charles Rambles

Charlie Sessom – Waiting  

Colby/Connor – Allison’s G’sons 

Denise Stubbs – Kim Allison’s Mom 

Greg Payne – Lisa’s Brother

Hanna Hall – Pray for Grace

Kimberly – Dustin’s Sister  

Larry Barker  

Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah  

Mary Sims  

Marynell Ford 

Michael Stanley 

Nora Allison – Dustin’s Mom  

Paula Ferus’ Missionary Friend 

Ricky Stubbs  

Rod Gustafson – Cancer

Roseleigh Osborn  

Scott Lanier – Linda’s Son 

Shaelyn – Jill’s Friend

Sheila Simmons Cousin  

Tom Witcher