THE PERFECT PRAYER

Romans 8:26-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Future Glory

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. 27 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. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.


A perfect prayer is not one filled with eloquent words or fervent emotion. It does not necessarily follow a designed model. It is not laced with catchy phrases delivered to tickle the ears of one who might be listening. I am not judging or condemning any of these prayers rather I believe they fall short of perfect.

As I read Paul’s letter, it seems that the perfect prayer is prayer from deep in our heart … so deep that it requires the indwelling Holy Spirit to find it. The words (groanings) are so right that they are expressed in a language that only the Holy Spirit and God understand. The prayer is perfect because it doesn’t even express our wants and desires but rather God’s perfect will for us.

So should you and I stop praying and leave it all up to the Holy Spirit? Of course not. Instead of praying less, this word calls you to pray more. Prayer is what draws you closer today, feeling His glory, as you prepare for the day when you will come into God’s presence and experience all His glory.