Scripture to Read: Romans 15:30–33
As we finish up today, we read how Paul asked for prayer in Romans 15:30–33, “Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; 32 so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” Paul knew how the Jews hated him in Jerusalem. (As a reminder, read it here in Acts 20:22–23 and Acts 21:10–14.) Prayer must be a vital part of every Christian’s life. God tells us to devote ourselves to prayer in Colossians 4:2, to pray without stopping in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to be sure and pray continually for all of the saints in Ephesians 6:18, and not to lose heart as we pray in Luke 18:1. So, God wants us to take prayer very seriously. As God led Paul to ask for prayer, He had Paul ask the believers in Rome to pray for Paul to be rescued from the non-believers in Judea and that his service to the believers in Jerusalem would be an acceptable gift to them and that they would receive the gift well. Finally, Paul wanted them to pray that they would have an encouraging time with each other too.
Challenge & Application
We know prayer must be a normal part of our lives; so, how are you doing in your prayer life and what needs to improve?
Who do you have praying for you on a regular basis? If no one, be sure and get some prayer warriors in your life.
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!