Romans 15 - 2.24.23

Scripture

Romans 15:30b

…join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

Observation – What does it say?

The Apostle Paul had his own unique struggles he was facing, but he asked the Roman Christians for their help. They were miles away though. How could they put hands under the weight Paul was carrying to lighten his load? Through prayer.

Understanding – What does it mean?

We have the ability to help people with any struggle their facing.

It doesn’t matter if you’re too weak physically to help, if you’re on the other side of the country, or if you have no money to send. If you can pray, you can help. One of the many reasons for our value, “Prayer is our priority,” is because our prayers have the ability to release God’s love and power and provision to help people!

We also read Psalm 6 today where the psalmist is praying from a dark and desperate place:

Psalm 6:3

My soul is in deep anguish.
    How long, Lord, how long?

I have gone through my share of challenges, but that Psalm didn’t resonate with me today. I’m typing from my parent’s house in Colorado, sipping coffee and looking out the window at trees freshly covered in snow, feeling so blessed to be here with my mom and dad. So what should I do? Just skim over the Psalm and dismiss it?

Speaking of my mom, she once encouraged me when reading the Psalms to read them from a corporate mindset. Rather than disregarding the ones that don’t align with our personal experience, we can join in the struggle of all our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing deep anguish by praying these verses over them.

Life Application

• Join in the struggles of others by praying for them.

• Pray through Psalm 6, lifting up all those who may be looking to God from that place of anguish.

God, thank you for the incredible privilege of being able to join in the struggles of others and truly help them through prayer. Please bring to mind anyone in particular who you want me to pray for today. And we also pray for any of our brothers and sisters around the world who are experiencing deep anguish and wondering how long until you answer them. Please draw near to them, let your kingdom come in their lives, bless them with an awareness of your presence with them, and let your light come crashing into their darkness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

- Levi Thompson