Daily Reading: Romans 15
Scripture Focus: 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, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. (Romans 15.30-32)
Devotional Thought: The Apostle Paul was a man of prayer. And not only did he pray, he often sought the prayer support of friends and constituents. He even asked those he did not know personally - such as the Roman Christians - to pray for him. "Strive together with me in your prayers..." And for what specifically did this man of God ask that they pray?
Deliverance. Paul's ministry of proclaiming Christ often got him into trouble. He asked for his brothers and sisters in Christ to pray that he would be delivered from those who would stifle his message. He wanted to be free to proclaim Christ!
Acceptance. Paul didn't care if people liked him, but what he wanted was for the message of Jesus to be accepted by those to whom he ministered - at that time the saints in Jerusalem.
Acquaintance. Paul had not personally been to visit the church in Rome. He asked that they pray for him to be able to come there to share in their joy and be refreshed in the Lord.
As you pray for your pastor or spiritual leader, pray that he or she would be free to proclaim the gospel, that their message would be accepted by those who hear, and that they would continually meet new people and families to bring to Christ! Oh, and pray the same for yourself for we are all called to make disciples!
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for my pastor. I pray that you would enable him/her to preach with all power and boldness. Deliver him/her from detractors. May his/her ministry be acceptable to the saints. Grant that he/she would encounter new people to bring to Christ. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. (Psalms 25:8-13)
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