15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

26 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 through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:15-16, 26-27

Questions for Reflection:

How do you feel knowing that God loves you so much so as to pray on your behalf?

When you think about being a slave versus being a child what differences pop up, what does that difference of relationship make possible for you?

Are there ways you may have been acting out of fear rather than out of adoption?

Prayer of the Week:

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love You, I worship You, I trust You. I ask your help today especially in my weaknesses. I ask for your help in this time of prayer. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name! I now receive all the new life that You have for me today, bought and paid for by Jesus Christ.

Thank you for clothing me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I now recognize my utter need for You in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Father, I ASK You to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him)

Lead me into all truth… help me see any way in me that grieves You Spirit. I thank You that You love me so much that any distancing in our relationship grieves You. I do not want to grieve You. Please prompt me throughout this day when You sense I am distancing myself from You that I might draw close to You by faith. I now Surrender to You confessing any ways I have offended our relationship… I am sorry. (Pause to confess any sins burdening your heart.)

I now Receive your complete and total forgiveness and Your empowering Presence that I may Act in the way You are leading me this day. I receive You with thanks, and I give You total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen