Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 15:20-33.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+15&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;  so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.  Now the God of peace be with you all.  Amen.”  Romans 15:20-33.

————————-

Generally, it is good to pray for others.  Each of us have many different needs.

But, we noticed how Paul singled out his ministry needs:  “that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints;”.  Verse 31.

And yet, how often do we specifically pray for the ministry needs of others?!

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains;  that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:18.

And, we should not reserve our prayers for only the ministry needs of our ministers and missionaries.

We are exhorted to pray “for all the saints”, and each of us, “the saints”, has her or his own ministry and her or his own ministry needs.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

“Brethren, pray for us.”  1 Thessalonians 5:25.