Learning to Pray the Necessary Prayer
Romans 8:26-28
Pastor Gene Wilkins
Part of Wednesday Messages & Discussion Question
October 23, 2024

Romans 8:26-28 (KJV)
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. 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. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.


Romans 8:26 (KJV)
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.


What is meant by “infirmities”? NKJV uses the word “ weaknesses.” Other translations use the word “weakness,” implying that there is just one major “weakness or limitation that all of us share.


Paul defines this weakness by explaining that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought”


The word ought in Greek is the word The word in Greek is the word δεῖ, dei, or necessary.


Romans 8:26-28 (NASB)
26 Now, in the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.


1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.