What does the Spirit say to the churches?

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. Romans 8:26 ESV

On July 30, 1967 Joni Eareckson Tada, when she was 17 years old,  dived into the Chesapeake Bay after misjudging the shallowness of the water. She had a fracture between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae and became a quadriplegic, paralysed from the shoulders down. Today she is an evangelical Christian author, radio host, artist, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organisation accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community.

In her own words she tells of a situation when she was in Germany speaking at a church, a blind woman named Elizabeth served as her interpreter. She recalls “You can imagine the two of us on stage—me with my wheelchair and Elizabeth with her white cane. During a break, someone placed an English language magazine on my lap. It looked like a good read, but with my quadriplegia, I couldn’t hold the periodical or turn its pages. “Elizabeth,” I said, “how ’bout if you hold the magazine and turn the pages, and I will read out loud. That way we can both enjoy it.”

“And that’s just what we did. I needed her; she needed me; and together we accomplished something that blessed both of us. That is how the body of Christ should work! Our combined weaknesses become delightful strengths.” 

Through the Spirit, God provides for us in many different ways on this side of eternity. Generally, he helps us in our weakness. Paul is acknowledging here that, even as Christians, we remain weak in and of ourselves. Physically, we remain creatures in fragile bodies with sometimes baffling emotions. Spiritually, we can become weak in our faith and/or in our resistance to sinful desires. As Paul will begin to make clear, however, God's Spirit with us makes all the difference. He continually helps us in and even through our weakness. He steps in. He helps with the burden. 

Lord, you search me and you know me. When I am sick, distracted, or in other ways unable to pray, the Holy Spirit, more intimate to me than my own self, links me with you, and prays for me with sighs too deep for words. Your Spirit is active in me. Thank you.