The Spirit helps us in our weakness.
We do not know what we ought to pray for,
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

— Romans 8:26

             Something incredible happened, a mere three months after I became a Christian— my dad stopped drinking. He’d been a daily drinker for at least forty years— longer than I’ve been alive. He probably would protest at the term “alcoholic,” but I don’t know what else to call it. I had long ago given up, on him quitting. I assumed he’d drink until the day he died. In fact, I wasn’t even praying for that. And that’s what puzzled me about the whole thing, for a while. I felt perhaps that his quitting and my newfound faith were connected. But why would God grant a request that I hadn’t even requested?

             I was discussing this with a friend not too long ago. That friend pointed out what I had missed— that God knows the desires of our heart, before we even ask. Further, that the Spirit prays for us, on our behalf. I didn’t really understand what this verse from Romans meant, until that conversation. It was such a cool experience, when she connected the dots of understanding for me. My dad has been off the bottle for almost a year and a half now. Our relationship is better than it’s ever been. I’m proud of him, and I’m also very grateful for the Holy Spirit’s intercession in this. ❤

Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

— Matthew 6:8