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How I stumbled Across Groaning in PrayerWhen I first got saved, I discovered that I would groan in deep prayer or when I was in a deeply spiritual setting. I started to dig into the bible to see if it was biblical. It took me quite some time to even notice that I was groaning in prayer. It would happen when I waded deep into the spirit or when I was with a group of people and the prayer got really deep. So deep that you could sense the manifest presence of God in the room. Prayer & Groaning Prayer is a familiar concept to many of us. Whether we’re alone or in a group, it can be used for devotion and as a way to commune with God. But what about groaning? Can this also be part of our prayer life? I believe the answer is yes! Groaning – both in the spiritual sense and in the physical act of uttering sounds – has been used throughout history as an expression of prayer. I m sure you've seen pictures of people on their knees or laying prostrate before an image of Jesus. In the background you see them groaning and sobbing, often while clutching their hands in prayer position. Similarly, Paul says that he “groans within himself” (Romans 8:26) while praying. In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words.(Rom 8:26 AMP)What Does the Bible Say? When it comes to the question of groaning prayer, what does the Bible say? Groaning is an emotional expression often used in pleas for help or comfort, but is it an appropriate way to express a prayer to God? Let's take a closer look at what Scripture has to say about this form of communication with the Creator. Various passages throughout Scripture make reference to groaning prayers as a valid method of communicating with God. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul writes that "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. God intercedes for the saints according to his own will." Here we see that God responds to our prayers based on His own will, and that the Spirit helps us communicate with Him in a way that is beyond our natural ability. Examples of Groaning Prayer in Scripture Groaning prayer, or expressing one’s prayers to God in the form of a deep groan or sigh, is a practice that has long been used by believers. It can be found throughout scripture as an expression of hardship and suffering. The Bible contains many examples of groaning prayer that are worth exploring.One example of groaning prayer comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:23-24 which states “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons”. Here Paul expresses his longing for redemption and forgiveness through this type of prayer. One example of groaning prayer in Scripture is the aforementioned Romans 8:26-27 when the Apostle Paul says “we do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (NIV) Here, we see an example of how believers can cry out to God without necessarily using words to express their needs and desires. Additionally, Psalm 5:1-3 describes a situation where David cries out to God with intense emotion and anguish by using loud cries and tears as part of his form of communication with Him. A Psalm of David. Listen to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning and sighing. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray. In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait...
