January 8, 2018

Paul Persistently Prays and Eagerly Plans to Reach a Diverse Population with the Gospel

Romans 1:13–15

Victoria Alexandria Bragg
Monday's Devo

January 8, 2018

Monday's Devo

January 8, 2018

Central Truth

Pray persistently and eagerly. Share the gospel with whomever God puts in your path.

Romans 1:13–15

13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 1 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated brothers) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, 2 1:14 That is, non-Greeks both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Footnotes

[1] 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
[2] 1:14 That is, non-Greeks

Dive Deeper | Romans 1:13–15

Paul loved all kinds of people. When he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was called to tell Jews and Gentiles alike about Jesus. For those of us who have committed to follow Jesus, that's our calling, too (Matthew 28:19-20). Paul is pumped about visiting the believers in Rome. He's been praying like crazy that God would make it happen. Although Paul was a godly apostle and a prayer warrior, he was prevented from going to Rome at that time. It was not until 60 AD that Paul traveled to Rome as a prisoner.

Ever wonder why God didn't answer Paul's prayers immediately? Perhaps it was because God was doing a fruitful work through Paul elsewhere (Romans 15:17-22). This encourages me to be persistent in prayer even when I don't see God working. Ever since I was a wee lassie, I prayed for my granddad to know Jesus. Years later, six months before he died, he trusted Jesus. So never give up praying and sharing the gospel!

Paul is not just persistent in prayer; he's audacious, too! In verse 13 we read that Paul is expecting people to put their trust in Jesus. How audacious are we? Ephesians 4:20-23 encourages us to believe that God is able to blow our socks off! I love that Paul prays expectantly before he acts. I have learned that prayer comes before serving. As a volunteer at QuestCare Clinic, I have learned to trust God to help me share my faith in a winsome way. We are not only interested in healing the body, but also to introduce others to Jesus, the divine healer!

Not only is Paul prayerful and audacious, he's also an eager beaver! Paul desires to communicate the truth about Jesus to people unlike himself. Paul was a Pharisee and educated in the Harvard of his day. He had a heart for all, no matter their ethnicity or education level. Paul was often rejected, but he chose to obey God rather than to remain in his comfort zone.

This month's memory verse

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– Romans 6:23

Discussion Questions

1. Who are you praying for? How persistent and expectant are you in your prayers?

2. What is your attitude toward sharing Jesus with others? Are you eager, afraid, or apathetic? If you need to learn how to share your faith, check out the many opportunities at Watermark, including Unashamed Weekend (Watermark's weekend-long urban discipleship trip), Equipped Disciple (Watermark's discipleship training classes), or volunteering at the QuestCare Clinic.

3. How relational are you with people who are different from you? Pray and ask God to help you see other people the way He does, with compassion and dignity.