Romans 8:26

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8:26, ESV

Despite the time of year we are currently in, I think this photo matches well what is felt from this verse in Romans. As we await our future glory in the redeemed creation, we sit amidst suffering and difficulty. Like the snow that keeps falling and weighing us down, so are our sufferings continuing to fall upon us. Just as the aches of this world can block out our hope and vision for what is ahead, so do the clouds block out any semblance of sun from our view.

Yet, it is amidst a passage that acknowledges this reality of suffering that Paul brings us this verse. As we are weighed down by the afflictions of this life, we are reminded that the Spirit Himself is both with us and interceding for us. For the times where we are too burdened to know what to say, what to pray for, or how we can even begin coming to God, we are reminded that God’s Spirit is already inside of us and knows our needs. He knows the trouble we face and is interceding for us beyond what our words can even express.

May we be encouraged by this profound reminder, that God Himself understands our situation, deeper than our words can even express, and may we find time to simply pour out our groanings and longings to Him, unhindered by the limitations of our spoken words.