"Paul's Request"

Life is hard!

There are times when it feels like it couldn’t get any worse, and yet you know it will get worse.

There are times when you feel like giving up, even though you know you can’t.

There are times when you have something very hard to do in the near future, and you are anxious about the unknown.

Paul knows this well.

He had experienced great suffering and challenges.

He anticipated difficulties/struggles ahead.

He knew that his strength and wisdom was not enough.

What does Paul want? (v. 30)

For the Romans believers to prayer for him (just as he does for them, Romans 1:9–10 “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.”)

They have a common Lord and a common bond (Romans 5:5 “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”)

Paul frequently asks for prayer (2 Corinthians 1:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Colossians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:25, Ephesians 6:18–20), which shows that he believed in the power of prayer in general and the power of intercession more specifically.

Paul is not too proud or too practical to ask for help.

“Strive together” - fight, struggle, contend together (as soldiers or teammates) - requires great effort (Ephesians 6:18–19 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,”)

Prayer is important, but it becomes even more important in times of great challenges ahead.

Plus, bringing others into a sort of prayer support system is a significant part of and privilege of the Christian life that we should take advantage of more.

Why does Paul want this? (vv. 31-32)

Because of the opposition (v. 31)

Paul wants prayer for deliverance/rescue from anticipated persecution.

He is aware of the potential for this (Acts 20:22–24 “And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”)

This could keep him from completing his plan.

Because of the collection (v. 31)

Paul wants prayer for the receiving of this “service” - ministry.

2 Corinthians 8:4 “begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief [service/ministry] of the saints—”

2 Corinthians 9:1 “Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints,”

Romans 15:25 “At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid [verb form of service/ministry] to the saints.”

“Acceptable” - gladly received

Pride can keep people from accepting help, especially from those they may not like/get along with/agree with (Gentiles for instance, or even Paul himself). To accept help is to accept the relationship - with Paul and with the Gentile believers. To reject it, would promote a division in the universal church.

Because of the hope of rest (v. 32)

That is what “refreshed” means. Paul is looking forward to some personal time, a break (v. 24), and he ever requests prayer for it.

But notice the submission to God’s will.

Romans 1:10 “always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.”

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

James 4:13–15 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.””

Luke 22:42 “saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.””

These are all very practical and personal prayers requests.

But they are also very ministry/others focused with submission to God as the supreme goal.

That’s what prayer is - seeking God’s will submissive to God’s will.

What else does Paul want? (v. 33)

He wants something for them. He’s not so caught up in his own world that he can’t consider others. He has proven that with this letter, and he will prove that with his future visit.

In the meantime (and really at all times), he wants the Roman believers to know and experience God’s peace.

This is important enough to highlight again (Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”)

Isn’t God always with them/us? It seems significant that he wants them to have the God OF PEACE with them - same God - but he wants them to experience His peace - see His presence as peace. This was a short way of saying “I believe that God will be with you, and that you can enjoy certain benefits of His presence, and that you should believe this also.”

“Peace” - harmony, quietness, rest - with God, within, and with others - not limited here.

Paul wanted them to experience the full range of the peace that only comes from God.

Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Romans 8:6 “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

This is what we need to know especially when life is hard.

Prayer to God, Peace from God

That’s what this text is about - predominantly prayer to God, but also peace from God.

This is what we should do more of - prayer to God.

This is what we can enjoy more of - peace of God.

Benediction: Romans 16:25–27 “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:3–11