Romans 15:30 - We Are To Pray For One Another

Today, Saturday April 24 We Are To Pray for One Another Romans 15:30 “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, Paul and his associates had received a special offering from the Gentile churches in Greece for the suffering Jewish saints in Jerusalem. Details about this collection are recorded in 2 Corinthians 8-9. There were several purposes behind this special offering. To begin with, it was an expression of love on the part of the Gentiles toward their Jewish brethren. Second, it meant practical relief at a time when the poor Jewish believers needed it the most. Third, it helped to unite Jews and Gentiles in the church. It was a bond that brought them closer together. Paul was also anxious that this offering be received by the Jewish believers and be acceptable to them. He wanted to bring about, under God, a closer bond between the mother church at Jerusalem and the daughter churches in other parts of the empire. Unfortunately, there were still Jews who opposed the message of grace to the Gentiles and who wanted the Gentiles to become Jews and accept the Jewish Law. So this gift of love from the Gentiles would go a long way in building unity in the body of Christ. But Paul also knew that he would face opposition from the unbelieving Jews and he pleaded with the believers in Rome to pray for him as he carried this offering to Jerusalem. The words "strive together" in verse 30 suggest an athlete giving his best in the contest. Perhaps the words "wrestling together" better express the idea. This same term is used of the praying of Epaphras in Colossians 4:12. This verse does not mean that we must fight with God to get what we need rather, it means our praying must not be a casual experience that has no heart or earnestness. We should put as much fervor into our praying as a wrestler does into his wrestling! We have a responsibility to pray for one another and especially for those who are ministering to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Please take the time to pray for someone today. I would very much appreciate a prayer for me! God bless!