Are You Ready?
Romans 1:8 - 15
Today, we start to up with Paul’s introduction to the Roman Christians. Let’s look first at his prayer in verse 8-12. Paul starts off by thanking God. What are you thankful for? We live in a very unthankful world and it has plagued the church for years.
Paul also says, that the church’s testimony of FAITH is known throughout the world. The phrase, throughout the whole world, most likely means the Roman empire. This still, however, is a great task. The way they lived their lives and the manner of their conversation was a testimony to the whole world. What is your testimony to the world? Do your neighbors even know that you are a Christian? Not that you go to church, but do they know the testimony of your faith?
Then, Paul prayers for the church that they may have power. He starts by praying without ceasing. When was the last time you prayed for someone else and sought God for their struggles and needs? I Thess. 5:17
Paul also prayed personally for them. We too many times pray very selfishly. We pray for our struggles and our needs and we totally forget about the hurting church around us. We must pray for each other and let me encourage you to pray right now for some in need in the church.
Paul also prays particularly for them. He prays for a prosperous journey. First of all, let me encourage you to pray specifically to God. He wants to have a relationship with us and wants to hear every little detail. Do not bore God and treat Him as a crutch by just rambling on about vague things. Be specific. Also, notice what Paul prayed for, a prosperous journey. If you read the New Testiment, you will see Paul had anything but a prosperous journey. Yet, Paul never once questioned God but rather gave Him glory through it all. What is your reaction if your plans do not line up with God’s and you get something other than what you prayed for?
Then Paul wraps up his prayer by requesting a gift. The gift was the ability to establish the church encourage them. Paul tells us that when you encourage the church, you get blessed in return. What are you doing for the sake of the church?