Question: “What does Romans 8:26-27 mean? Does it mean the Holy Spirit moves us into speaking tongues, without us trying to do it?”
Answer: This passage gives us an insight at how the Holy Spirit intercedes in the prayer life of every believer. Believers are encouraged to pray about everything and to pray constantly. However, this verse tells us that we do not know the best way to pray. The Holy Spirit helps us in that area. It is important to note that prayer is always supposed to be in harmony with the will of God (cf. 1 John 5:14-15; John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-24). Since it is difficult to know exactly what God’s will is for each situation, the Holy Spirit helps us by praying for us. Groanings here does not translate to tongues. Tongues simply was the gift of speaking in languages that we not the speaker’s native tongue. The word tongues translated to languages. This passage does not mean that the believer will speak in languages that no one can understand. It means that the Holy Spirit will intercede for the believer for the purpose of praying according to the will of God.