VOLUME 2
ISSUE # 3
WEEKLY ENGAGEMENT:
ENGAGED
Likewise the Spirit
also helps in our
weaknesses. For we
do not know what
we should pray for
as we
ought, but the
Spirit Himself
makes intercession
for us with
groanings which
cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26
Prayer is powerful! We know this
because of our Scripture reading. We
long for our prayers to effectively turn
God’s ear and to be satisfied.
Unfortunately, most Christ Followers
are dissatisfied with their prayer lives.
As we study Scripture though, we
realize that our discontent comes
from misunderstanding the depth,
height, width and purpose of prayer.
We have become disillusioned to
believe that God’s chief end in our
lives is for us to be happy. Through
this study you will be equipped to
understand the real nature of prayer
and incorporate ways your prayers
can be effectual and fervent… To
believe praying makes a difference,
we must be ENGAGED!
24/7 faith
A 24/7 faith is the only faith that is authentic. It
is unselfish and God-centered. This type of
faith is personal and real. It is not produced by
community, but community enhances it. This
section is for the individual believer.
1.16.11
...In Prayer
ROMANS 8:26
Luke 19:13
Day 1
Today, read all of Romans 8. To fully understand the context of vs 26, you Personal
must be acquainted with the rest of the chapter.
We read of three groans in this passage. Nature’s groaning, we are
groaning, and now the Spirit is groaning with words which cannot be
uttered. This passage helps us to better understand the nature of prayer. The apostle says
that that there will be times when we do not or will not know how to pray. Why? There
may be many reasons why we do not know how to pray. Try listing a few: We are not
engaged with our heart, our burdens are not deep enough or perhaps we lack wisdom.
Nevertheless, it needs to be said, this is not an encouragement to stop praying. Instead,
it is a challenge for us to pray even more deeply. Do you find praying difficult? Do you
ever wonder, ‘what is the point?’ Do you ever sense a silence in heaven and feel fear
when you pray? Do you ever wonder why God answers sometimes but is silent at other
times? Go to Him now in prayer and express those concerns.
This week, our focus is on the Spirit’s bearing of our prayer burdens to The Relational
Father. One of the most painful burdens we bear is in the area of our loved
ones. Begin this week by being assured that the Holy Spirit conveys our
exact feelings for those we love to the Father.
Picture a boy who is using a wrench to tighten down something in the Generational
garage. He might be struggling to do it alone, but now picture his dad’s
hands joining him on the handle of the wrench. Together, they tighten down
the bolt, and the son might even think that he has done the work, but the real
strength came from the power of the father.
When it comes to prayer, Romans 8:26 reminds us that the power in the prayer comes
from the Holy Spirit, and that in our weakness the Spirit provides the strength.
This strength is true in any circumstance, at any age.
So just pray!
Relational Faith Generational Faith
Relationships define who we are. God has God expects us to pass on our faith to the
placed us in community with others with whom next generation. Scripture is full of commands
we must relate. Whether it is marriage, to leave a legacy of faith. However, it is not for
employment, social, civic, worship, etc., we must the faint of heart. This section will provide
learn to relate to others as Christ. fodder for you to talk about faith at home...
Day 2
We may be tempted to think that Personal
since the Holy Spirit is going to pray
for us, why should we be bothered
with it. However, wouldn’t that go
against the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles.
In James 4:2, it says. "You have not because
you ask not,". God wants to hear from us.
Although, we can only approach the Father
through the Son. Many times we try to
approach the Father on our own merit and all
we hear is silence.
In Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us that we are
never to be troubled or anxious, but in
everything, with prayer and supplication, we that this praying of the Spirit is done with
are to let our requests be made known to
God. Prayer should be liberating and deep.
Prayer should at times be emotional and
releasing. What is the most significant benefit gift
of prayer for you?
Sometimes it is so hard to know Relational verbalize that we cannot say anything at
how to pray for those we love.
Here are some questions in that
respect. Do you pray your hopes for
them? Do you submit to God’s infinite
wisdom in your prayer requests concerning
their lives and futures? Do you actually pray
for them, rather than simply air your
frustrations?
What are some things that Generational
as a family you need the
Lord to do, and you can’t
even think of the right words to
pray?
Is
prayer your steering
wheel or your spare tire?--
Corrie Ten Boom
Day 3
There are times when we do
know how and what to pray Personal
for. But there are also times
when we won't know what to
pray for. There are times when
the situation facing you is so
deep and difficult we cannot possibly pray
with confidence. We see we’re without
wisdom. It is at that time, the apostle tells
us, that the Spirit of God within us prays,
without words, His request to the Father.
I am amazed when people emphasize the
gift of tongues and take this verse as proof
that the Spirit prays in tongues through us.
This verse cannot mean that. Paul tells us
groans which cannot be uttered. Now,
tongues are words, words of other
languages even. If this is speaking of the
of tongues, it would merely be putting
into other languages the feelings of our
heart. Why would that be necessary for
God? This describes the groans of the Spirit
within, so deep and so impossible to
all. We just feel deeply. The apostle says
that when that happens, it is the Spirit of
God who is praying. The Spirit is asking for
something concerning the situation that we
are trying to pray about.
Getting beyond apathy and Relational
selfishness in your relationships
will help you pray effectively for
your loved ones. Removing
apathy makes your prayers sincere,
and removing selfishness makes you pray
for them, rather than actually praying for
yourself under the guise of praying for
them. Focus today on removing apathy
and selfishness in your prayers for those
you say you love.
Do you know of a situation Generational
that your family can help
another family pray for?
Day 4
Personal
What is the Spirit asking for? The
answer is in Verse 28: ‘And we
know that in all things God works
for the good of those who love
Him, who have been called according to
His purpose.’
We cannot separate this verse from the
previous two. The Spirit prays according to
the mind of God, and the Father answers
by bringing into our lives the experiences
that we need. He sends into the life of
those for whom we are concerned; the
experiences that they need, no matter what
they may be.
Now, that means that even the trials and
tragedies that happen to us are an answer
from the Father to the praying of the Spirit.
This is why we can be joyful in the middle
of struggle/pain. We know that God is in
control. Do you find it easy to trust God’s
best, even if you can’t figure it out?
The pain caused by those Relational
who break your heart, or
disappoint you, or drift from
God, is some our deepest pain.
As you pray today, do not avoid
that pain. But, rather, seek it out, embrace
it, and allow that pain to make your prayer
more powerful. As the Holy Spirit feels
that pain Himself, helps you bear it, and
conveys your heart feelings to the very
throne of God.
Generational
Are there any ways that
your family feels weak,
and that God’s strength shines
through?
Prayer does not
fit us for the greater work,
prayer is the greater work.
--Oswald Chambers

Day 5 The joys, the blessings, the pain, the struggle and the unusual things that happen to you are the
result of the Spirit's praying. The Spirit is praying that these things happen, He is groaning the deep
concern of God for your needs and mine. From this comes the assurance that no matter what happens, it
will work together for good. It does not say ‘everything that happens is good.’ But whether the situation is
bad or good, it will work together for good for you if you’re trusting God. What a difference that makes as
we deal with life! God is working out His purposes in us. It’s no wonder that the apostle then closes this
passage with one of the greatest praises in the Scriptures. As we face the blessings/trials we go through, it is a help to
remember this. We are counted worthy to suffer for his Name, that we may share in His glory that is to come.

The purpose of this week’s verse is assurance in spite of our weakness. We often don’t pray because we are
discouraged, or don’t believe God will do anything with our prayers. Today, pray with the confidence this
verse gives. Pray knowing that God will do something with your prayer. Pray knowing that your heart will be
made known to God in spite of the limitation of human language.

Letting God means letting go. What does your family need to let go of this week?

You may pray for an hour and still not pray.You may meet
God for a moment and then be
in touch with Him all day. --Fredrik Wisloff NEXT WEEK: 1 John 5:14-15