"In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings." Romans 8:26
This verse brings great comfort on many fronts, but perhaps the most hopeful thing is that God cannot deny Himself. Even ifGod was ignoring me, even if He became unconcerned with my circumstances, even if I couldn't muster any strength to kneel before His throne–The Holy Spirit was still advocating for me the entire time. What great solace there is in the ministry of the Holy Spirit! Though my mind might consciously know that the Father hears, sees, and knows me, it isn't infrequent that I feel as though I'm invisible. I know I can't be alone in this. We are creatures living in a world where if our own flesh doesn't seek to destroy us, the Devil surely will. It is a lie that God shuts His ears to His children. But in those moments, however brief or long, that it seemsHe's paying no mind, vigorously remind yourself that God is incapable of shutting up His ears to His peoples' cries. It's impossible. He cannot ignore our prayers because He cannot ignore Himself, the Holy Spirit. When we cannot pray as we ought to, when the words don't form on our tongue tips, when our tears muffle our sentences–the Holy Spirit gathers our formless prayers and places them before the Father's throne on our behalf pleading through the power of Christ's blood in groans too deep for our ears to hear. As believers, our prayers cannot go unheard on the very principal that God cannot ignore Himself. With the indwelt Holy Spirit, we have an advocate that will forever take up our cause. Despite my ineptitude to pray right now, I need only to rely on the Holy Spirit in humility and submission. Instead of turning away from prayer altogether, I speak my cries to the Holy Spirit. He hears. He understands, though I don't. He takes my concerns to the Father who undeniably listens to Himself. God cannot deny Himself. When the fog of life is far too thick and weighs heavily, distorting my sight, the Holy Spirit is still at work in counseling and guiding me. We can rest abundantly in our prayer life because we can rest assured that God hears Himself.