HoHum:
Whenever I speak about prayer, I want it known that I speak as a fellow-struggler in the trenches. I’ve never found prayer to be easy. Also, many messages and books on prayer lay a guilt trip on the listener or reader for not praying enough. They tell about how Martin Luther was so busy that he had to spend four hours every morning in prayer. Somehow that is supposed to motivate me to get out of bed at 3 a.m. to pray, but it doesn’t work for me. So I don’t want this message to imply that I’ve got it together when it comes to prayer or to increase your guilt level. Take prayer seriously, make it a part of our day, but let’s not be neurotic about it.
WBTU:
If there was ever anyone who seemed to “have it together,” it was Paul! Sometimes such great men come across as if they don’t have any needs. They try to project an image of self-confidence so that others will follow their leadership. But Paul freely and repeatedly let the churches know that he desperately needed their prayers. For Paul, prayer wasn’t a nice thing to do; it was a necessity for survival.
Several times in his writings he asks for prayer in addition to Romans 15:
“Brothers, pray for us.” 1 Thessalonians 5:25, NIV.
“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1, NIV.
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,” Ephesians 6:19, NIV.
“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” Colossians 4:3, 4, NIV.
“Who will pray for me?” Great privilege that is ours is to pray for others. We have the privilege of being part of the ministry and work of others. When we pray for them and carry them and their needs before the Lord, we have a part in their ministry. So, while Paul is asking for people to pray for him, he is also inviting them to join him as he serves the Lord!
Behind every spiritual giant were people who prayed and touched heaven on their behalf. Names of prayer partners are not remembered, but when rewards are handed out at Judgment Seat of Christ, those who labored in the closets will receive as much as those who labored in the field! Let’s look for a moment at Paul’s plea for prayer from the Roman Christians.
Thesis: A Call for Prayer
For instances:
A Call for diligence in prayer (Vs. 30)
“Urge” is the same word that Paul used in Romans 12:1
This gives the impression of an SOS. Paul is saying, “I need your help! I am drafting you to come alongside of me and help me pray about some things.” Like a half back in football. He may be fast, but if he doesn’t have some teammates blocking for him, he will be on the ground in short order. Those in ministry need others out in front blocking for them!
The Motive of prayer
Paul’s request for prayer isn’t just for himself, but for the glory of God. This should be the overriding theme of every prayer we pray! “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV.
We should also pray with the thought that we want God’s will to be done. ““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”” Luke 22:42, NIV.
by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit- When we are baptized, saved and the Spirit of God indwells us, one of the first things He does is to give us a love for the people of God. “God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5, NIV. This love of God in us is one of the reasons why we pray for one another. If I have this love, I will be concerned about what affects others and I will want to help by praying about it.
The Ministry of prayer
Join me in my struggle. This word carries idea of entering into a fight with someone else. It pictures prayer as wrestling. This goes back to Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord in Genesis. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 4:12, NIV. Where are the people like Epaphras who wrestle in prayer? Where are the Christians who grasp the horns of the altar and lay siege to God’s throne until He answers? “Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”” Genesis 32:26, NIV.
Most things are easier than praying. Why? Many things we can mention but one is that the devil and the forces of evil will fight our attempts at a consistent prayer life more than anything else we do. Prayer is our opportunity to stand tall in the power of God and fight battles against enemies that we cannot see. Missionaries and preachers can feel the prayers!
A Call for detail in prayer (vs. 31-32)
We should not be afraid to name our requests to the Lord. If we do not, how will we know when they are answered? What are Paul’s specific requests:
That Paul’s walk might be protected
Paul knew that he was walking into the lion’s den. There were people in Jerusalem who hated Paul and the message he preached and would stop at nothing to kill him. See the book of Acts
God’s people are still being attacked by a spiritual enemy. “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
Pray for the preacher, the elders, the deacons, Sunday school teachers and teachers on Sunday night, that their walk spiritually will be protected. Many ways to stumble and fall out there.
Paul’s work might prosper
Paul is taking an offering to Jerusalem from the Gentiles. Why would they have a problem with the offering? Because the unbelieving Jews wanted Paul dead and even the Jewish Christians were a little leery of Paul. Prayers that God will open doors and soften hearts.
As people are ministering we need to pray that their work will prosper.
That God’s will might prevail (vs. 32)
Paul wants to come to Rome if it is the will of God. He wants to meet these brothers and sisters, if it is the will of God. He wants to rejoice with them, if it is the will of God. Paul speaks of joy and refreshment. These things exist where the will of God is being carried out. Above all, Paul wants the will of God to be accomplished
When we know that we are doing God’s will we have joy. When we know that we are out of God’s will, there is a loss of joy. When we are in God’s will, there is refreshment in the Spirit. When we are out of God’s will, there is no refreshment for our hearts. When we are running on our own steam, there is a lack of power, of joy and of refreshment.
A call for delight in prayer (vs. 33)
Paul here is saying, “I have committed these matters to God and I am at rest.”
Rest in the peace of God.
Paul is on his way to Jerusalem. He does not know what will happen to him when he gets there, but he is able to rest in the arms of God. God will take care of you!
When we have prayed about a matter in faith and have committed it to the will of God, then we can have peace in our hearts that He will take care of it for us! He may not answer it the way we want Him to, but He will always do what is right with the things we ask Him. Therefore, when we have prayed the best we can, rest in His peace.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7, NIV.
Rest in the presence of God
When we have the peace of God, we also have the presence of God.
We have the same assurance as we go through life. There are times when we look at situations and think they are totally hopeless! They are as long as we leave God out of the picture. Regardless of how He answers our prayers, He is always there for us!
I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. I believe in love even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent.
Having God is far more valuable than having anything God can give! The best present that God has given is his presence. “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”” Hebrews 13:5, NIV.
Conclusion and invitation:
Did God answer these prayers? Yes, he did. Acts tells us that many of them were answered with a “Yes.” Paul was protected, just like he prayed. He was well received of the church in Jerusalem, “When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us warmly.” Acts 21:17, NIV. And he was able to rejoice with the Roman Christians in the Lord’s time, “The brothers there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.” Acts 28:15, NIV. God heard these prayers and they were answered
Many prayers being offered for others. Will you be the answer to their prayers by coming forward...?
