Lesson 208: The Groaning of the Spirit

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

A couple of days ago as I traveled to work, I listened to a lesson which I now realize was meant for me. At the time I didn’t realize it. The radio evangelist was sharing a story regarding a preacher who was having a healing service. As he offered a call for healing a young man came forward and walked up to him. The young man seemed to be in distress so the preacher asked him what his prayer request was. The young man stated his hearing. The preacher immediately placed his fingers on the young man’s ears and began praying a passionate prayer. In a couple of minutes he released his grip and inquired about the young man’s hearing. The confused young man looked up into the eyes of the preacher and stated he didn’t know. The hearing wasn’t until Wednesday! I would be reminded of this type of needful prayers in the next couple of days.

Though I am sure this is fictitious, it does have a valid point regarding prayer. Sometimes we pray when we do not even know our needs. The Bible states, “He will supply all our needs according to the riches of His glory.” The key word in the passage is needs. Sometimes we get our wants and needs confused. As Christians, sometimes we do not know our needs but due to God’s plan, our spirit does. According to Romans 8:26-27, Paul tells us that, “We do not know what we ought to pray for but the spirit intercedes on our behalf with groans that words cannot express and he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” How wondrous! I love the line, “He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit.” God knows because of the Spirit of Christ that dwells within us. And when we seek His will, He answers our need requests. I would soon learn this lesson once again.

My spirit groaned. I felt burdened. I did not know why. All day the groan persisted. I found myself being led to a local hospital to see my dearest friend. I did not understand at that juncture but the spirit did. As I drove into the parking lot I was confused. I had prayed for this beloved friend and now found myself feeling guilty for intruding but did not understand my obsession to be there. Well, as I waited, I ran into a former student of mine. He is twenty-three years old and the last I knew had been attending college. He greeted me with a smile but I noted that his body was stooped and bent. I asked him how was he doing and he stated that he was getting ready for a kidney transplant and was undergoing dialysis. His mother spoke up and said that his older brother matched his and that he was going to donate his kidney to the younger. The mother asked me to pray for him and right there in the parking lot, underneath the flapping flags of the Medical Center, we bowed our heads and petitioned God for intercession on the young man’s behalf. Tears streamed down this fielder’s face intermingled with the family’s fears but still the realization of why I was summoned had not dawned upon me.

I went and had a wondrous visit with my friend and talked of God’s will in our lives, our purpose, destiny, and offered words of encouragement. I went home content and later received a phone call regarding a terrible accident that involved several people. My friend, who works in the field of medicine, was on call and was one of the Angels of Mercy (God bless those who work in the medical field) who had to deal with the trauma and loss of life that night. One of the mortally wounded in this horrific accident was a child. It fell upon my dear friend’s shoulders to assist in attempting to save the lives of the patients. My friend was there for them, trying to administer comfort, as they breathed their last, slipping into the abyss, with the blessed hands of mercy holding tightly as they walked between the threshold hesitating. With a reassuring smile the Angels of this plain released the hand so the Angels of the highest plain could grasp it.

Upon receiving the phone call and hearing a trembling voice of despair, I came to the full realization that I had been called by the groaning of my spirit to go and strengthen others. I felt in awe of God’s wisdom and realized that my prayers had been answered in spite of myself. I am among all men, most blessed. It is my belief that God in His unfathomable wisdom sent me there to offer comfort to the people through the groaning of the spirit. The prayer I had on my mind was connected to the prayer of the heart and once again God used the spirit to offer comfort and strength before a situation occurred.

I often think of those soldiers of yesteryear (as well as our heroes and heroines of today) and that they must have prayed with the intercession of the spirit, as they faced the possibility of death. This we know: those brave hearts were God’s children, as stated in Romans 8:16, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children” And dear reader, they are still God’s children, no longer filled with hope but filled by the essence of heavenly hosts. They are one with the angels when they believe. For it is written in Romans 8: 38-39 that, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Throw away the old blanket of insecurity, doubt and feeling unworthy and pick up the new blanket enshrined by God’s love manifested through the sacrifice of Christ. When you draw nigh unto God, He draws nigh unto you. Your prayers are answered with each breath that you take. The spirit groans and through God’s love He listens.

Do you believe this day that Christ can do for you what you cannot do for yourself? Do you repent of your sins, earnestly seeking God’s forgiveness and inviting Him into your heart? Do you feel the Spirit as He dwells within you? Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling oh sinner, come home. With the humbleness of heart for the groaning of the spirit, I remain trusting alone in Christ Jesus for my salvation, the Old General