STRIVING TOGETHER IN PRAYER (4 OF 4)
Scripture: Romans 15:14-33
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Striving Together in Prayer (4 of 4)
Series: Gospel Unity
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 15:14-33
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf (v. 30).
Why Pray for One Another?
We have now reached the end of the apostle Paul's letter to the church in Rome. After talking about his ministry (vv. 14-21) and his travel plans (vv. 22-29), Paul writes, ''I appeal to [i.e., urge] you ... to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf'' (v. 30). He's saying, ''Pray for me.'' And Paul wrote in the opening of the letter that he always prays for them (see 1:9-10).
Our church covenant says that we will ''remember each other in prayer.'' Why? Why should we pray for one another?
Three Reasons to Pray for One Another
In verses 30-32, we find three reasons why we should pray for one another. First, praying for one another is a command from our Lord. Paul appeals ''by our Lord Jesus Christ'' (v. 30). Every Christian has the same Lord. We are all under his authority. What he commands, we must do. Jesus taught his disciples that ''they ought always to pray and not lose heart'' (Luke 18:1). Prayer isn't an optional part of the Christian life.
Second, praying for one another is an act of love. Paul also appeals ''by the love of the Spirit'' (v. 30). In Galatians 5:22, love is called ''the fruit of the Spirit.'' As an apple tree produces fruit (i.e., apples), so the Holy Spirit produces fruit (i.e., love). Our Lord modeled what's loving others looks like. He said to his twelve disciples, ''I am among you as the one who serves'' (Luke 22:27). To love is to serve. And one way we can serve others is by praying for them.
Third, praying for one another is a demonstration of our faith. Do we really believe that prayer works? When we pray we show that we believe prayer isn't a waste of time.
There are many biblical examples of people who were frustrated ...
Series: Gospel Unity
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 15:14-33
I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf (v. 30).
Why Pray for One Another?
We have now reached the end of the apostle Paul's letter to the church in Rome. After talking about his ministry (vv. 14-21) and his travel plans (vv. 22-29), Paul writes, ''I appeal to [i.e., urge] you ... to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf'' (v. 30). He's saying, ''Pray for me.'' And Paul wrote in the opening of the letter that he always prays for them (see 1:9-10).
Our church covenant says that we will ''remember each other in prayer.'' Why? Why should we pray for one another?
Three Reasons to Pray for One Another
In verses 30-32, we find three reasons why we should pray for one another. First, praying for one another is a command from our Lord. Paul appeals ''by our Lord Jesus Christ'' (v. 30). Every Christian has the same Lord. We are all under his authority. What he commands, we must do. Jesus taught his disciples that ''they ought always to pray and not lose heart'' (Luke 18:1). Prayer isn't an optional part of the Christian life.
Second, praying for one another is an act of love. Paul also appeals ''by the love of the Spirit'' (v. 30). In Galatians 5:22, love is called ''the fruit of the Spirit.'' As an apple tree produces fruit (i.e., apples), so the Holy Spirit produces fruit (i.e., love). Our Lord modeled what's loving others looks like. He said to his twelve disciples, ''I am among you as the one who serves'' (Luke 22:27). To love is to serve. And one way we can serve others is by praying for them.
Third, praying for one another is a demonstration of our faith. Do we really believe that prayer works? When we pray we show that we believe prayer isn't a waste of time.
There are many biblical examples of people who were frustrated ...
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