7th December 2023

7th December 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 15v30-33)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


It might surprise you that even "spiritual giants" need to be prayed for regularly. Paul was no exception and despite the remarkable work done through him, the Apostle still urged the Romans to be united in praying for his work (v30). How were they to pray? In a threefold manner. Firstly, Paul appealed for the Romans to ask God to protect Paul from the unsaved in Judea (v31).


Paul was going back to Jerusalem and into enemy territory. Once upon a time Paul's name was Saul and he was a devout and zealous Pharisee. He despised the church so much that he sought to arrest Christians, destroy churches and to do all he could to stamp out the Christian faith. By the time of Paul's letter to the Romans he couldn't have been more different and so in the eyes of many he was a traitor, a "lundy" and someone to be opposed at every turn. Luke tells us that when Paul eventually arrived in Jerusalem many sought to kill him and he was only saved by the quick actions of the Roman soldiers (Acts 21v27-36).


Secondly, Paul asked for prayer so that his "service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints" (v31). This seems like an odd prayer. We can understand a request for safety but surely an Apostle arriving with a generous financial gift would be universally accepted by the church? Not so. Paul was a divisive figure even within the church with some seeing him as a "pretend" Apostle who didn't look the part or preach very well (2 Corinthians 10v10). Paul didn't want to cause any trouble in the Jerusalem church and he desired for his time among them to be a blessing to all.


Thirdly, Paul asked that the Romans would pray for his eventual arrival in Rome (v32). He didn't want to come to them bitter and battle scarred but with joy so that he might know refreshment in the company of the church situated in the empire's capital city. In return Paul prayed that the God of peace would be with his friends in Rome (v33).


As the Romans prayed, Paul prayed. As Paul prayed, the Romans prayed. It sounds so simple but it often escapes our fellowships. Brothers and sisters, why do we not pray? Why do we reject the gift of prayer? Why do we not call upon the Lord for everything - protection, welcome, refreshment? The church without prayer is a place being built in the strength and talents of those who labour. It might last for a time and it might even know success but unless the Lord builds the house, those who labour do so in vain (Psalm 127v1).


Paul understood that his trip to Jerusalem was not a jaunt over the ocean which required no thought. He knew what he could face and so he appealed to the church for prayer. I ask the same for you and I. These are the dying days of 2023 and a new year approaches. What will this December be like? What events will the world see in 2024? What will shake our homes and churches over the next 365 days? I have no idea and so I pray. Join me?  


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q9 What is the work of creation? The work of creation is, God’s making all things of nothing, by the word of his power, in the space of six days, and all very good.
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