Scripture Introduction
I often remind my family of a profound truth I have learned from living: you cannot make people do what you want. Even if it is in their best interest, even if they should do it, matters little. You cannot make people do what you want.
You have tried. You have shown your friends clearly the truth that should change their minds. You know you are right, and you suspect they know it also—but they refuse to conform. Oh, yes, we attempt to control by manipulation. And it may appear to “work,” their desires win out.
Is this not one great difficulty in faithful parenting? When children are young and do not feel their own desires, we often mistake enforced behavior for heartfelt obedience. But later years reveal the error, when the desires of this young adult conflict with those of a dismayed parent.
What we need is a way to change people. Well, I have good news! I have found the answer in Romans 13. [Read Romans 13.30-33. Pray.]
Introduction
Reuben Archer Torrey pastored in northern Ohio before joining D. L. Moody in his evangelistic work in Chicago. He also served as a chaplain in WWI, received an honorary doctorate from Wheaton College and was Dean at (what is now) Biola University. He was an internationally known evangelist (a Billy Graham of his time) and wrote forty books, the most well known ones on prayer and revival.
At a conference in St. Louis a minister was preaching on “The Rest of Faith.” He wanted to emphasize the idea that Jesus has won all the spiritual victories for us and that we need only rest on Christ’s work. But in his excitement, the minister overextended himself and said, “I challenge anyone to show me a single passage in the Bible where we are told to wrestle in prayer.” R. A. Torrey was sitting behind this pastor, and later said of the occasion: “Though contradicting another speaker is usually not done, I felt he had issued a challenge I had to take up.” So Torrey said, softly, “Romans 15.30, brother, Romans 15.30.” Fortunately the man admitted Torrey was right.
The Greek word in Romans 15.30 means “join in a struggle with,” or “fight alongside” or “strive together with.” Therefore, with Torrey, many commentators see this “striving together with me in your prayers,” (which Paul speaks of) as being similar to Jacob’s “wrestling” with God in Genesis 32. The Hebrew word is different, but the idea is the same.
Here in Romans 15.30, Paul actually coins a new word, uniting the preposition “with” and the verb “strive” or “struggle.” Though used only here in the Bible, the main verb appears several times and explains the idea. Jesus (for example) uses it in Luke 13.24: “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Strive, [agōnidzomai] from which we get the English verb, “agonize” and noun, “antagonist.” Jesus exhorts us to struggle against sin and self in order to enter eternal life — this is a fight worthy of the reward.
The same word appears in 1Corinthians 9.25: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” You do not see it at first; the version I use (the ESV) translates [agōnidzomai] as “athlete”; the New King James has, “everyone who completes.” Literally it is: “the one who struggles” — in other words, everyone who properly strives for the prize exercises self-control.
Some of you have struggled to keep believing, to endure through the twin temptations of satisfaction and suffering that we wrestled against last week. You (I suspect) will not be surprised that the same word is used of the fight against unbelief. Three times Paul refers to the “fight of faith,” striving to believe, arguing against his own sinful nature and “the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Holding fast to the faith in a fallen world is intensely agonizing, a great struggle.
I explain all this because (it appears) many Christians think about prayer the same way a football coach views his options when 4th-and-15 from his own 30-yard line. You have tried everything else; nothing remains but to punt. Prayer is like admitting defeat in the Christian life.
But the Bible does not present such a view. Instead, prayer is the real fight, the great struggle in the Christian’s life. Epaphras is famous for his praying because Paul forever recorded his story in Colossians 4.12: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling [agōnidzomai] on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”
Matthew Henry: “We must put forth all that is within us in that duty; pray with fixedness, faith, and fervency; wrestle with God, as Jacob did; pray earnestly, as Elijah did (James 5.17), and stir up ourselves to take hold on God (Isaiah 64.7); and this is not only when we are praying for ourselves, but when we are praying for our friends. True love to our brethren should make us as earnest for them as sense of our own need makes us for ourselves…. He [Paul] would have them to ply the same oar. Paul and these Romans were distant in place, and likely to be so, and yet they might join together in prayer.”
God would have all Christians who love one another do the same — join together in the struggle through prayer. Paul provides six encouragements to do so:
1. Strive In Prayer Together Because You Have a Great High Priest (Romans 13.30a)
You will agree, I think, that asking you to do something “for Jesus’ sake” is a most effective appeal. Paul begs his friends to pray on that very basis: “by our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words…
• If you have any regard for Jesus;
• If you have any desire to see his name honored;
• If you have any love for the Lord who bought you out of slavery;
• If you have any encouragement from knowing him;
• If you have any confidence that he will hear and perfect your feeble prayers;
• If you have any comfort from knowing that he loves you with an everlasting love;
• If you have any faith in his promise to be with us when we pray;
• If you have any hope from the certainty of his saying, “If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven”;
• If you believe in the person of Jesus, the power of his name, and the faithfulness of his promise to give what we ask that “our joy may be full”;
If any of these are true — and are not all true for those who believe? — since all are true for us, then we must strive together in prayer.
It is not as if we are sneaking into Vladimir Putin’s bedroom, wearing “night-ops” uniforms, weapon at ready, in order to steal a priceless jewel. Jesus has made us friends, clothed us in the family robes, made peace with the Father and gives his brothers and sisters all of the riches of heaven. Does Jesus love you? Then let us pray.
2. Strive In Prayer Together Because You Have a Loving Spirit (Romans 13.30b)
Why should believers in Rome struggle for Paul’s success? Surely they have enough problems of their own? After all, do you not have sufficient concerns to consume the hour you have set aside for prayer without worrying over countless other requests?
But there is this love which the Spirit puts in the soul. Not a natural affection, for we tend toward selfishness and concern for our own benefit. This is a supernatural work, a sure sign of conversion, an influence from the outside-in, which presses us to pray for others. The same Spirit which fills God’s people and produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control, also draws out a desire to call down God’s favor on other Christians.
Do you know the Spirit’s love? Then let us pray.
3. Strive In Prayer Together In Order To Glorify God (Romans 13.30c)
Two questions rise from reading that phrase. First, why must we strive? If prayer works, why is it such hard work? Why may we not ask once, and that in a placid tone, and be done with it? Second, why must we pray together? Surely one praying is sufficient — we even have Scriptural examples of the prayer of one man accomplishing much.
C. S. Lewis gives part of the answer in a dialog between Fledge, Digory, and Polly as they fly toward the Garden.
“My wings are beginning to ache,” said Fledge. “What about coming down and looking out for a decent spot to spend the night in?”
“Yes, and surely it’s about time for supper?” said Digory.
So Fledge came lower and lower…and at last alighted. Digory rolled off and helped Polly to dismount. Both were glad to stretch their stiff legs. "I am hungry," said Digory.
"Well, tuck in," said Fledge, taking a big mouthful of grass. Then he raised his head, still chewing and with bits of grass sticking out on each side of his mouth like whiskers said, "Come on, you two. Don’t be shy. There’s plenty for us all."
"But we can’t eat grass," said Digory.
"H’m, h’m," said Fledge, speaking with his mouth full. "Well - h’m - don’t know quite what you’ll do then. Very good grass too." Polly and Digory stared at one another in dismay.
"Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals," said Digory.
"I’m sure Aslan would have, if you’d asked him," said Fledge.
"Wouldn’t he know without being asked?" said Polly.
"I’ve no doubt he would," said the Horse (still with his mouth full). "But I’ve a sort of idea he likes to be asked."
He likes to be asked. Surely Ezekiel 36.37-38 teaches the same: “Thus says the Lord GOD: This I will let Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock…. Then they will know that I am the LORD.” God likes to be asked.
And Jesus explains why in John 14.13 “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
When we gather together, think deeply about what we can all agree is Biblical to prayer for, and then earnestly fight together for God’s answer, he receives honor and glory. Do you love God’s glory? Then let us pray.
4. Strive In Prayer Together In Order To Change Unbelievers (Romans 13.31a)
Paul ministered in hostile environments. Enemies dragged him from temples where he taught, beating him and seeking his death. “Mob violence is not easy to restrain,” Pastor John Piper ironically understates (sermon, in loc.). We have found ourselves rarely able to convince those who like us and live with us to do what we want. How will change those who neither love God nor fear man?
Pray. Apparently, it works.
Acts 21 explains the results of these prayers. As expected, a mob attacks. But, surprise, someone runs and tells the army commander who listens, calls together a group of soldiers, and rescues Paul. The answer came through the civil government. Then, later, in chapter 23, while Paul is in jail, some of his enemies swear an oath not to eat until he is murdered. But “luckily” a boy overhears the plan, tells Paul, Paul asks the centurion to take the boy to the commander, who listens to the story, assembles 200 soldiers and 70 horsemen and comes and rescues Paul from the conspiracy.
Christians in Rome change unbelievers in Judea and Paul is delivered. Do you believe God works? Then let us pray.
5. Strive In Prayer Together In Order To Change Churches (Romans 13.31b)
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, often received a cold shoulder from Jewish Christians. They did not like the church being infiltrated by foreigners, those different from themselves. They wanted a pure church, one perfect in all its ways. The Gentiles did not always do everything correctly. They were coarse, uncivilized, barbarians.
How can a church change? How can Christians chained by such sorry, selfish and sinful attitudes become loving, accepting and joyful about bringing new people into the church who will force us to change? How can Paul’s service be accepted when they do not like him? They slander his behavior, suspect his teaching, and snub his presence. What will be done?
Matthew Henry: “As God must be sought unto for the restraining of the ill will of our enemies, so also for the preserving and increasing of the good will of our friends; for God has the hearts both of the one and of the other in his hands.”
God’s saints, sinners still, will be convinced only by the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray.
6. Strive In Prayer Together In Order To Develop Fellowship (Romans 13.32-33)
It is said: “The family that prays together stays together.” I’m not a big fan of bumper-sticker slogans, but there is a truth in it, isn’t there?
When we really pray, when we labor to find that about which we must agree, when we struggle with the flesh through fasting and prayer, when strive against doubt by praying according to the word and encouraging one another in prayer, we are refreshed.
One might think such spiritual exertion would drain us to the point of utter exhaustion. But those who have prayed know that spiritual exercise restores the soul and revives us heart and body. Do we believe God must refresh our church? Let us pray.
7. Conclusion
Woven through this sermon and (I hope) through this paragraph is the conviction that God uses our prayers together to change the world. We may not understand how, but we know that prayer is necessary to the working out of God’s will.
Through Charles Spurgeon’s preaching thousands were converted. There was a revival of true Christianity in London. Few realize, however, that in the basement of the church hundreds gathered to pray during his sermons. Was Spurgeon a great preacher? Who could doubt it? Was Spurgeon a great preacher because a great many of God’s people agonized in prayer? Do you doubt that? I am no Spurgeon, but might not revival depend on our prayers, rather than my preaching?
The church Helen and I attending in Mississippi set aside a room, remodeled and devoted it to prayer. They wanted to make a statement: “we are a church that prays.” Over the next year, I hope two, practical, concrete things will happen.
First, it is my hope that all of us who are church officers will make time to strive together in prayer. I think that begins with our gathering in the office 15 minutes before the service to plead with God for his working. I think it will develop when we have monthly officer prayer services. During 2008, I am asking that the officers find ways to strive together in prayer.
Second, my hope is that we will find a way to pray together as a church on a regular schedule. In the last weeks I have had one suggestion about how we might do so during Sunday School, another about making it part of Sunday Evenings. Or, maybe it will be a monthly “Concert of Prayer.” That was our structure in Jackson, MS. The format can be massaged to fit best our schedules and locations.
But I believe what is not optional is that we commit to prayer together. Do you? Think about that. Amen.
