“I urge you,
brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in
my struggle by praying to God for me.” –Romans 15:30
Paul was a giant
in the faith. Thoughtful, intelligent, willing to work and to suffer for
Christ. He planted churches around the Mediterranean Sea, fought off wolves
endangering young Christians, and was a bold preacher in front of Herod, Mars
Hill, and angry mobs. Yet, Paul still needed the prayers of the church
gathered. “Join in my struggle through prayer,” he pleads to the church.
Why does
Paul ask the church to join in his struggle? For “our Lord Jesus Christ and by
the love of the Spirit.” Paul’s prayer for the local church is that our “love
may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians1:9). Love increases in the church that gathers to know God more and discern
His truth.
My ministry,
just like Paul’s, is utterly dependent on God to do the things only God can do.
Making disciples of all people to the glory of God requires God’s power. Paul
knew his personal growth and labor in ministry was by God’s grace alone (I Corinthians15:10). Who I have become and how I minister is dependent upon God’s grace
alone. Therefore, my beloved Allison Avenue saints, struggle with me by praying
to God for me.
Also, Paul
pleads for the saints in Rome to join him in his struggle by praying “by the
love of the Spirit.” There is a sweetness found in a church who prays such
Kingdom prayers together! Join the struggle together by praying to God
together! Paul already commanded the Roman saints to “rejoice in hope, be
patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Be constant in
prayer…together. Struggle together. Paul wrote to the Colossian church how he
heard of their faithfulness to God and of their love in the Spirit (Colossians1:8). This is the same Holy Spirit in whom we the church enjoy unity and a bond
of peace (Ephesians 4:3), a perfect unity held together by God’s perfect love (Colossians3:14).
I plead with
you: pray for me, for my teaching ministry, for my leadership of our church. Pray
that I speak the mystery of the gospel in the way I should (Colossians 4:3-4)
with boldness (Ephesians 6:19). Pray for one another. Pray together. Pray
constantly. Pray that you love one another more (Philippians 1:9). Pray that
you encourage one another to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and to bear
fruit for His glory (Colossians 1:9-10).
Let us be a
praying church, faithful to God and depending on God and going to God on behalf
of one another. Join in the struggle of the global gospel mission of Christ in
prayer for laborers to enter the field for the harvest (Luke 10:2) and then go
to the field ourselves (Luke 10:3).
Heavenly Father, my love for Your people whom You have sovereignly placed
under my leadership compels me to ask You for Your favor to them. Bless them by
Your rich mercies, deliver them from temptation, and may our love for one
another increase. To Your glory and in Jesus’ name. Amen.
