Agonizing in Prayer Romans 15:30-33 When I was 18 and seeking God s will for my life, there were people in my life that were committed to praying for me that I am in debt to. One of those people was an older, godly lady in my father s church, named Evelyn Vincent. Whenever she saw me she would stop me and ask how she could pray for me. She had a picture of me up on her mantle to remind her to be in constant prayer for me. Eventually, God s will became very evident in my life. I believe she knew all along that I was going to be in ministry; it was just a matter of time for me to hear the Lord. Even after I started serving in youth ministry, she would hunt me down in church to find out what she could be praying for and even slip a $20 bill into my hand to encourage and support me. Evelyn Vincent was the perfect illustration of what Paul speaks about here in verse 30 concerning prayer Vs. 30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me You don t ever see Paul begging for money to further the ministry, but you do find him begging for prayer. He begs the brethren to strive together with him in prayers to God. To strive together = to agonize, to struggle with, to partner. The word was originally used for athletes who were struggling against each other, like a wrestler, or boxers who are agonizing or struggling against their opponent. Paul is inviting the believers to struggle with him, to agonize with him, to partner with him as he contends in prayer. We have a real enemy that we are fighting against Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 1
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 It s why there is so much warfare when it comes to prayer. The phone rings, the kids are fighting, the water heater is broken, or the car won t start. Two weeks ago, our project team became aware of the warfare. One of the team members ended up in the hospital, another had a daughter that got pneumonia, another had their transmission go out, and I backed the VW into a tree stump! Warfare the key is to push through it knowing that something great is about to happen. Prayer is how things get done in the kingdom of God. Paul believed it s how doors were opened and his preaching was made effective. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel Ephesians 6:18-19 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains Colossians 4:2-3 Paul believed in prayer so much that he asked the believers to strive with him, to contend with him in prayer. He knew it was how the kingdom advanced. Notice his prayer request Vs. 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 2
Whenever Paul came into town he was not sure if a revival would break out or a riot. So Paul asked for prayer to be delivered from those who didn t believe. Paul knew that prayer had something to do with getting him to his destination. As Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Notice that Paul asked for prayer that the Word of the Lord runs swift and that they may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men who are not of the faith. Paul knew that his battle ultimately was not against flesh and blood, so he did not need to engage in that way. Instead, he asked for prayer, knowing that it was a spiritual battle. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ... 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 At your job, with an unreasonable boss, or a coworker remember, the battle is spiritual in nature, it s not physical, and there is a real enemy sowing discord and deception into their minds. It s a heart issue and so we must engage in what can change the heart that s where prayer comes in. Not only did Paul ask for prayer for deliverance, he also asked for prayer for his service Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 3
Vs. 31 and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints Paul, as we looked last week, was bringing a gift to the Jerusalem church from the Gentile believing church (Romans 15:25-26) He was hoping that the gift, and his heart to bring the gift, would be accepted among the church in Jerusalem. That it would bring harmony, that through this gift the rift between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers would be extinguished by the grace extended. Paul could foresee that this gift could go two ways: it could be looked at with offense or it could be received with joy. It could both bless them and give glory to the cross that brought them together, or it could stir up their flesh and cause them to react in offense. So Paul was asking for prayer. He knew that prayer had something to do with making sure that he and the gift were received in the hearts of the Jerusalem church. Have you ever sensed the Lord putting on your heart to give something to someone, either materially or financially, but you know that it could actually offend instead of bless them? And with that you know this gift must be soaked in prayer so that it s looked at properly. Not as manipulation, but to be looked at as God s way of providing. We get a glimpse in Acts of how this was received And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord Acts 21:17-20 The Lord had answered their prayers in the positive. Not only did they receive Paul with gladness, they even gave the glory to God. They saw God in it all, not manipulation. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 4
So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Luke 11:9-10 It s the Lord s promise that when a person asks, he will receive, to those who seek, he will find, and to those who knock the door will open. Vs. 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God Paul was praying not only for the will of God in his travels, that was always his heart to fulfill the will of God for his life, but that if and when he arrived, that his heart would be joyful. In essence he was praying for joy. Paul prayed for it Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 Jesus prayed for it But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. John 17:13 The reason they did is because it s part of living in the kingdom of God for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 It s a byproduct of being in the presence of God You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 5
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32:11 Not a bad thing to pray for that we would rest in knowing that the will of God will prevail and that we would walk in joy no matter what direction He takes us. Paul s trip is not going to work out the way that he thought. He won t make it to Spain, and when he does make it to Rome, it s going to be as a prisoner waiting to see Caesar. Locked up to a Roman Guard, Paul will need the joy of the Lord to be his strength. Vs. 32 and may be refreshed together with you. Some of the best times of fellowship I have enjoyed have been with the pastors here at Wildwood. We have laughed together, served together, worked through issues together, worked out doctrine together and mocked each other! And what I believe continues to make our fellowship with one another refreshing is the time we spend in prayer together. And then notice Paul finishes with a prayer of his own for God s people Vs. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Even though Paul s life was in constant jeopardy, even carrying a thorn in his flesh, Paul knew the peace of God that brought comfort and rest to his soul. Peace that he tells us in Philippians 4:7 comes through prayer Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 The God that had brought peace to Paul could also give and grant peace to the brethren in Rome. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 6
It was the prayer of Paul the apostle in the early church and it should continue to be our prayer living in these last days. It s in prayer that we experience the peace that comes from the kingdom. Remember, the kingdom is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. The church upon its knees would bring heaven on earth. E.M. Bounds if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Let s strive together in prayer it could actually bring healing to our land. Copyright 2012 Chris Fraley 7