September 3, 2023

Romans 15: 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Sometimes loving others takes effort and creativity.*

There are times when I want to pray for someone but I just don’t know what to say. Paul doesn’t seem to have the same problem. What can we learn from his “model” prayer for the Roman Christians? 

1. It wasn’t enough to ask for something good on their behalf. He doesn’t just pray that they will be capriciously filled with joy and peace – he reminds them that they have some responsibility in the transaction: to trust in God. 
2. He offers them hope by pointing out that overflowing hope would be the result of the aforementioned joy, peace, and trust. 
3. He gives credit where credit is due: this was all possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Our prayers for others will not be arranged in such a tidy little outline, and those for whom we pray may never know what we asked on their behalf – if they ever learn that we are praying for them at all. But Paul’s prayer can show us that we can be more thoughtful, deliberate, intentional, and specific when we bring someone before the throne of God. “Please help Suzy with her problem” is a good start but doesn’t Suzy deserve a little more reflection, a bit more of your time and attention? Not because God needs us to tell him what he should do for dear Suzy but because he wants us to care that much for others.

There is a pulse for caring for one another at the heart of following Jesus.*