QT 10/14/2024 Rom 1:9-13, God's will and prayer

Romans 1:9–13 (ESV) —

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

 

NOTE: Paul had intended to visit the Romans on many occasions, but it didn't work out. He longed for the opportunity, but it did not happen. A longing in one's heart does not indicated God's will. It is good to have desires and longings, but to interpret those as the will of God is false. God may, in His time, fulfill that desire, but one must take care to not "make it happen" outside of the will of God. God would send Paul to Rome in another 4-5 years, but in chains (but also free passage). He would minister in Rome for two years (free room and board too), writing at least four letters (continuing the ministry through epistles). What is my point? Be careful of interpreting a longing as an indication of God's will right now.

 

As I started writing down my thoughts, the thing that hit me was that Paul wanted to visit (to preach, to share, to fellowship), but instead he was praying. And probably, that was a better ministry than his visiting. We don't always see praying as an important ministry. Speaking, seems so much more important, at least in our eyes. But prayer, secret prayer, is very powerful, and is probably a better ministry than one person standing up and speaking for an hour or two. We don't have to go to a place, but we certainly ought to be praying regularly for places, people, and churches.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my prayer life like?
2. Do I really consider prayer important? Would someone looking at my lifestyle and seeing me in secret say that prayer is important to me?

 

PRAYER: Father, during these last forty days, the practice of writing down my prayers has challenged me greatly to be more serious about my prayer life. As an application, I am going to create a prayer sheet template in my OneNote application to help me to pray daily.