You can click HERE to read the passage.
My primary takeaway from this passage is from the last few verses. Here is what Paul says:
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
Prayer was not anything that Paul took for granted. When you read his letters you oft notice him telling his readers exactly how he is praying for them. And then you also see passages like this one where he is telling his readers how they can pray for him. He is very specific in what he is asking for.
You kind of get the idea that Paul has put some thought into this. This is another way that he demonstrates intentionality in his walk and ministry. He doesn’t just want people praying for him generally; he wants people praying for him specifically.
How do you want people praying for you? What do you want them specifically interceding for on your behalf. Give some thought to this. And if you are interested, here are a few specific ways that you can be praying for me…
- Pray that more and more I may be able to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ – that I might be filled to the measure of His fullness.
- Pray that His joy would both fill me and fuel me and overflow from me to others.
- Pray that as a husband and dad and granddad that I would serve my family and lead them to grow in grace.
- Pray that as a pastor God would use me to help others make progress in their walk and find joy in their faith.
The God of peace be with you all. Amen!
Next Week’s Passage: Romans 16:1-19
Memory Verses: Romans 8:1-37