Learning How To Pray Pt. 31 Praying For God's Will In All Things

We move from the book of Acts into the letters written to believers in various New Testament churches by the Apostles.

Praying for others needs at all times, displays the heart of Christ. 

Romans 1:8-12  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9)  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10)  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11)  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12)  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

Paul prayed for every single church that he ministered to, usually mentioning his prayers within the opening verses of his letters. 

This letter to the church at Rome is no exception. In the first seven verses, Paul set forth his apostolic qualifications. He followed this by telling them how he prayed for them. 

Paul expressed his thanksgiving to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, because the early church at Rome was a good witness for Christ. Their faith was well known in other areas of the Roman world. 

The apostle faithfully served Jesus when he prayed for them, by the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. The word "served" is one that refers to a minister of the gospel who reliably discharged his duties. 

Paul readily engaged in fulfilling his responsibilities to God and man, and he viewed them as acts of worship to his Lord. 

Paul let this church family know that he prayed for them without ceasing.  Whenever Paul was awake, he remembered the church at Rome in prayer. 

Christians at Rome were in his thoughts and mind and he prayed for God to supply any spiritual or practical needs of that church. 

Praying for the Lord's permission to go to Rome. 

Acts 16:6-9  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7)  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8)  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9)  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

All apostles were dependent upon direct guidance from the Spirit of God or from Christ Himself. In this text, Paul and his fellow workers were not permitted to go to Asia to preach the gospel at that time. 

Next, they wanted to go toward Bithynia but the Spirit of God did not permit this, because He was going to send them to Philippi, and the gospel was going to reach Europe for the first time.

Later, when Paul faced opposition from preaching the gospel in Corinth, Jesus appeared to His apostle and told him to stay and preach the gospel. because Christ had many people to save in that city (Acts 18:10).

Paul learned to seek God's direction even in the simple things of life, such as planning where to travel. 

Praying for God to grant the gifts needed for ministry in our churches.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7  Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5)  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6)  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7)  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 

Paul prayed that the Lord would make a way for him to visit the church at Rome. His purpose as an apostle of Christ, was to impart spiritual gifts to them, according to their specific needs. 

He described spiritual gifts in his letter to the church at Corinth. There were many different gifts but they were all dispensed by the same Holy Spirit. 

There were a variety of ways that the Spirit of God chose to operate in each church, but it was all according to the perfect will of God. 

Often, the apostles were instruments used by God to give spiritual gifts by the laying on of hands or by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (See Acts 8:18; 10:44-47; 28:8). 

God verified their ministry through the signs, wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, administered by or through the apostles. 

Notice also, that the dispensing of gifts, wonders and miracles was according to the will of the Holy Spirit. 

Paul's prayer for the church at Rome included being able to impart spiritual gifts to them according to their needs. 

Spiritual gifts were important for support of gospel ministry, strengthening their mutual faith and comforting their hearts. 

Today, the sign gifts of healing, tongues, miracles and so on, are not given out by God's Spirit. However, He still imparts much needed gifts to His church, such as Pastors, Teachers, or Evangelists called of God to preach the Word and exposit truth to us. 

He still raises up people to fill a variety of ministry needs, such as lay leaders, singers, choirs, and instrumentalists, people who readily use their skills and abilities for the glory of God. 

He raises up those who commit to praying for other's needs or who find joy in doing whatever needs to be done at their church. 

Striving together in prayer brings great blessing. 

Romans 15:29-33  And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 30)  Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31)  That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 32)  That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 33)  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. 

As Paul neared the end of his letter to the church at Rome, he expressed confidence that Jesus would make a way for him to visit this church. He happily anticipated coming to them in the full blessing of the gospel of Christ.

The words "Now I beseech you" is a plea for prayer. It means coming together to exhort, encourage, edify and intercede for each other in prayer and supplication to God. 

Paul had a prayer request for the believers at Rome. They all shared the same love of God shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). 

They shared the love of God and this motivated Paul to ask that they strive together with him in prayer. 

His great desire was that God would deliver him from the Christ rejecting Jews at Jerusalem, so that he could minister to the saints in that place. The apostle was aware that the unbelieving Jews were plotting to kill him. 

You can see the word "agonize" in the Greek word translated "strive." 

Striving together in prayer has the idea of earnest, fervent and intense prayers, blocking out all distractions and focusing on the person's needs that are brought before the throne of grace. It is passionately praying like Christ, when He prayed and sweat great drops of blood.

Paul's prayer was that he could come to see them and the very thought of this filled his heart with great joy. He hoped to join them and that they would be mutually refreshed.

Paul finished his prayer asking that the God of peace would be with them in all things.

Thoughts to Ponder...

We must be willing and ready to pray earnestly for the needs of others with a willing heart. This reflects the heart of Jesus Christ.

We must be willing to pray while seeking God's will in the requests that we make, for His choices are best for us.

We must be willing to pray for the Spirit of God to grant the spiritual gifts that each of our churches need. We must be ready to serve God when He lays something on our hearts. 

We must have hearts that are willing to strive together with other Christians in prayer, with earnest and agonizing intensity. 

We have been given bold access to the throne of God. Let us throw ourselves at the mercy seat where Christ intercedes for us. 

May the Lord raise up people who are committed and faithful to pray, from among all who read this blog. May the Spirit of God guide our prayers and may He do His mighty work in and through us.

Bob