Striving Together in Prayer

Romans 15:30-33, “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” 

Prayer is cooperative wrestling. That is how today’s text describes that action because the word “strive” pictures athletes straining side by side against a common challenge. Whenever you intercede for missionaries, pastors, fellow church members, or other saints, you step onto the mat with them, grappling by faith with obstacles only God can move. Paul requested three things: (1) rescue from unbelieving Judeans, (2) acceptance of his gift by the Jerusalem church, and (3) eventual joy-filled rest among the Romans (vv. 31-32). While the particulars differ for us, the pattern remains: (1) pray for protection, (2) effectiveness, and (3) refreshment for those laboring in gospel trenches.

Also worthy of note is the Trinitarian motivation that is exhibited in v. 30: “for the Lord Jesus Christ…for the love of the Spirit…to God.” We pray because the Son has opened the Father’s throne and the Spirit pours His own love into our hearts, aligning our desires with God’s. Prayer is not a polite formality but is God’s appointed means to release heaven’s aid on earth. So then, here is a question. Whose ministry burdens could you shoulder this week through “striving” prayer? Here is a challenge. Forming a two or three person prayer team and work to regularly text requests, meet, and wrestle together in prayer for the glory of God, the good of your church, and the furtherance of the gospel.