Chaplain's Corner
Mark Shogren
May 2025
“Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27
We have all heard or used the term “life is not easy”. The older you get there are times you tend to reflect back on the various trials and tribulations you have been through over the course of your life. Early in my Christian faith admittedly there were times I neglected to cry-out to God and seek His face in prayer during those difficult challenges in my life. I thought I could fix the problems without first consulting the very God that hath given me eternal life. In Philippians 4:6 it reads, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” There are also instances where the trial is so overwhelming it can leave us at a loss for words. God searches the heart He knows exactly what you are feeling and what you are going through at any given time, nothing escapes His sight or knowledge. Every born again believer has been given the gift of the Holy Spirit upon conversion. John 14:16-17 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” When we find it difficult to pray due to our circumstances the Holy Spirit makes intercession to the Father on our behalf with groanings that cannot be uttered. The Greek word (stenagmos) refers to intense, yet inaudible sighing. In addition we have another advocate Jesus Christ the Righteous one seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven who makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”
We are never alone, every believer is under the Father’s loving care eternally. Trials and tribulations come in various forms of difficulty. Some are due to the fact we live in a fallen world and some are allowed by God for a time of testing your faith, remember the horrific trial Job went through in the Bible. In the end Job remained faithful and the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. When faced with these challenges I would encourage you to remain faithful and prayerfully seek God’s will with all your heart. Yet we often do not know what His will is, but then the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God. In His providence God orchestrates every event in life, even suffering, temptation, and sin to accomplish both our temporal and eternal benefit. Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” May the Lord bless you and keep you in His perfect peace as you prayerfully seek Him.
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