From J. C. Philpot's Daily Portions
December 12 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We
do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for
us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26 In all our prayers, in all our approaches to the throne
of grace, our mercy and wisdom will be to seek to possess the mind of the
Spirit; to desire to know the will of God, and do it; to look up more
believingly and continually to the Lord Jesus, that he himself would teach
and guide us; that he would by his Spirit and grace conform us more inwardly
and outwardly to his suffering image; that he would grant unto us to know
him more, and serve him better; that our prayers may day by day be more and
more fervent, earnest, and sincere, more spiritual, more in accordance with
the will of God; that thus they may be more and more manifested as the
interceding breath of the Spirit of God in our hearts, and as such may bring
more clear and evident answers down. Pray for the manifestation of Christ to your soul, for a
revelation of the Person, blood, righteousness, and love of Jesus; seek to
have your signs and evidences of divine life more cleared up; your Ebenezers
and tokens for good more brightly shone upon; your doubts and fears more
plainly dispelled, and a fuller and sweeter assurance of personal interest
given in the finished work of Christ. Desire also to have the promises
applied to your heart, the word of God brought with divine power into your
conscience, and a living faith raised up and drawn forth to mix with the
truth which you read or hear. Beg, as the Lord may enable, for submission, patience,
resignation, brokenness, contrition, humility, godly sorrow for sin,
heavenly affections, and that sweet spirituality of mind which is life and
peace. Above all, seek an inward assurance that your prayers are heard and
accepted, and then watch for the answer. This will give you the surest and
best of all evidences that the blessed Spirit is himself interceding for you
with groanings which cannot be uttered.