Praying for Conversions

As we continue through Paul's prayers, we will consider one single verse found in the tenth chapter of his letter to the Christians in Rome:

"Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." (v.1)

When God saves His people out of their various contexts, He often leaves them with a burden for those very people whom they were called "out of."

• For Paul, that meant that he had a 'sweet spot' in his heart for his fellow country-men, the Jews. 

• For us today, this might look like a Christian praying for their family members who have yet to submit to Christ's lordship. Or, it could mean praying for their particular country where they were born. It may even mean praying for a religious cult or denomination out of which they were graciously rescued by the gospel.

Tonight, as we pray together as a church, let us ask God for such a "heart" (Greek: kardia) that strongly desires for the "good will" (Greek: eudokia [translated as "desire") of those who are near and dear to us. Too often, we as Christians can grow cold in our desire to see others converted to Jesus. May this not be true of us. If it is, let us pray for God to not only thaw our frozen hearts, but to warm them with evangelistic zeal for Christ!

Let us pray that this God-granted desire for the eternal well-being of others would be turned into fervent and unceasing prayers to God to do what only He can do: save lost sinners. In the Greek "my" (teis emeis) in emphatic; let us pray that we (not merely "others" in the church) would pray regularly for the lost around us to be converted.

Let us remember that "salvation" comes only through the gospel (cf. 10:5-17; 1:16-17), and pray that God would send somebody - even us! - to proclaim and embody the good news of God in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

As we gather together to beseech our gracious God who loves to hear and answer the prayers of His children, let us remember to pray for many conversions and baptisms at GCC this year. Let us pray that His kingdom come, and that His great Name be glorified as sinners come to a saving faith in the living Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Soli Deo Gloria!!

Paul's Prayer in Romans 1:8-12

This summer, the elders have decided that we as a church at Grace Community work through the prayers of Paul found in his various letters in the NT. 

This week, we look at his short prayer found in Romans 1:8-12:

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Here are but a couple of thoughts/suggestions to ponder as we gather to pray corporately:

1. WHAT is the first thing Paul does in this prayer? Does this characterize our prayers (both corporate and private)? Cf. 1 Col. 4:2; 1 Thes. 5:18.

What are some things we can thank God for today?

2. WHY does Paul say that he thanks the Father "through Jesus Christ"? Is this part of Jesus' role as our Mediator and Advocate? Often we think only lifting our prayers to the Father through Jesus; we must also remember that even our (sin-tarnished) thanks must be "delivered" to the Father by Christ. Let us praise the Savior for this often overlooked aspect of His ministry for His people!!

3. For WHAT does Paul give thanks to God for? Remember that Paul has never personally met these believers in Rome. This ought to remind us that we must prayer for and give thanks for our brothers around the world who are "proclaiming the faith" around the world. 

HOW can we turn this into a prayer for our own local church? Perhaps we can pray that we would have this kind of infectious, passionate evangelical faith as well.

4. The verb "to give thanks" is in the present tense, which means that it is an ongoing action. It is great to pray like this every Wednesday. But perhaps we can pray that God would help us to pray like this consistently throughout the week (note the "always" in verse 10).

5. WHY is Paul so eager to see these believers in Rome? Let us pray that God would enable us to use the gifts He has entrusted us to "strengthen" and "encourage" one another in the faith (cf. Ephesians 4:11-16). Let us pray that God would give us a "longing" to see our brothers and sisters built up and sanctified in and through and for Christ (cf. Phil. 2:1-4).

6. Finally, note that although Paul eagerly desires to see the Roman believers, he nevertheless reminds himself that he will do so only if it is God's will. HOW ought this realization temper and inform our own prayers tonight? Cf. 1 John 5:14-15