THE MYSTERY OF PRAYER
(Romans 8:11-27)
For the past couple of weeks, I have spoken about cultivating
a prayer-filled life and the ministry of intercession. For some Christians,
prayer remains ambiguous, and they have questions like why should I pray? Is
prayer essential for every Christian? If God knows everything, why should I
even bother to pray? Why do Christians suffer? How can I pray when I don't know
what to pray? How do I pray when I go through suffering? I seek to answer these
questions and have titled this message "The Mystery of Prayer"
from Romans 8:11-27
I.
The Contrast between a life controlled by Satan and by the Holy Spirit
The apostle Paul while writing to the Roman Christians,
establishes that the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is also
living in them. And Just as God raised Christ from the dead, one day will raise
all of his children from death and decay to eternal life.
The exact process of the Holy Spirit convicting us and
coming to live in us applies to all of us. The Holy Spirit indwells us, and His
power is at work in us. In light of that, how are we to live? The apostle lays
out the contrast between a life controlled by sinful nature and by the Holy
Spirit. They are opposite each other and would end up in two different places.
A life controlled by sinful nature: Before we accept
Jesus as our savior, Satan, and sin have ruled our lives. We were in the
dominion of Satan, fulfilling the obligations of our sinful nature's urges.
Galatians 5:16-21 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. He concludes by saying, "I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."
That is how a life controlled by Satan ends. The
future is brighter for those controlled by the Holy Spirit. "He has
rescued us from the Kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of
his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." Col 1:13-14
We can overcome our sinful nature by being led by the
Holy Spirit daily. Vs. 14-15, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are
children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful
slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own
children. Now we call him "Abba, Father."
When we are born again, we are adopted into the family
of God, redeemed from the curse of sin, and made heirs of God. We are His sons
and daughters and call him Abba Father. This name of God, "Abba Father,"
is one of the most notable names of God in understanding how He relates to
people. The word Abba in Aramaic means "Father." It was a common term
that expressed affection and confidence, and faith. Abba signifies the close,
intimate relationship between a father and his child and the childlike trust that
a young child puts in his "Papa or daddy." For his Spirit joins with
our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.
II.
Why do God's children suffer more?
Why do bad things happen to good people? This question
has baffled many down through the ages. People come up with unhelpful clichés:
"God will never give me what I can't handle," "That which doesn't kill me makes
me stronger." Some blame God when bad things happen. Jesus warned we will have
many trials and sorrows but take courage. He overcame the world.
Why do God's children suffer more? Paul gives us a few
reasons as to why in Romans 8:20-25. First, we all suffer because we are living
in a fallen world. The whole creation is subjected to God's curse and eagerly
looking forward to the day it will join God's children in glorious freedom from
death and decay. Meanwhile, we suffer natural calamities, famine, etc.
Secondly, we suffer because of our own sins, such as
overeating, drinking, partying, committing adultery, and others' sins, such as
crime and gun violence in society. Thirdly, God's children may endure more
suffering because we inherit suffering along with blessings.
Vs. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we
have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, we too long for
our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope
for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,
including the new bodies he has promised us."
Our present sufferings are linked with our sharing in
God's future glory. We will await eagerly for that to be revealed. American
Christians living in comfort have no clue how christians worldwide suffer
because of their faith. In 2021, 5,110 churches or christian buildings were
attacked; 6,175 christians were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or
imprisoned.
Around the world, more than 360 million Christians
live in places where they experience persecution just for following Jesus. That
is 1 in 7 believers. An average of 16 christians are killed each day because of
their faith. What provision did Jesus make for his suffering Church?
IV.
The Mystery of Prayer
Vs. 26 "And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit
prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father
who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for
us believers in harmony with God's own will."
Let me share a few thoughts about suffering. No one
fakes or lies about suffering as a conspiracy radio host accused of the
families doing so who lost their children in the Sandy Hook Elementary
shooting. For lying, he has dearly paid. All suffering is real and personal. Sometimes,
the whole community and a nation collectively feel the pain of those who
suffer.
How do individuals and communities rightly respond to
suffering? For God's children, there is help in their vulnerable moments that
others do not have. If you are a child of God, the Holy Spirit in you
intercedes for you with
groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Our heavenly Father knows what is going on in your
heart as He understands the Holy Spirit's language. The Holy Spirit always
prays for believers in harmony with God's will so that we will learn how to
respond rightly to suffering and take necessary steps as directed by God.
The mystery of prayer is that when we suffer, yes, the
Holy Spirit prays for us, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't pray. We are
commanded to pray without ceasing, including through trials and suffering. It is
God's will for us that we learn how to pray.
Here is how early Christians and the church responded
through prayer in their suffering. Peter and John were imprisoned for boldly
speaking in the name of God and healing a crippled beggar. They were warned
never to preach again in the name of Christ. Upon their release went back to
their church and gave a praise report, "All the believers lifted their voices
together in prayer to God." (Acts 4:23-25). Peter was imprisoned just after the
apostle James (John's brother) was killed with a sword. While he was in prison,
the whole church prayed earnestly for Peter's release. Peter miraculously
escaped from jail (Acts 12).
When Paul and Silas were severely beaten with wooden rods, thrown into the inner dungeon, and clamped their feet in the stocks, they prayed and sang hymns to God. It was another miraculous escape. (Acts 16:25). The apostle Peter has this to say to all who suffer, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. I Peter 4:12-13. When we suffer, remember we are not alone, we have the Holy Spirit praying for us.
