Journey through the Book of Romans

Paul Request their Prayers for him

Romans 15:30-33 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. NKJV

Paul informed the Christians in Rome last time of his priority to get to Jerusalem first to deliver the gracious gift from other believers for the saints there who were struggling to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves and their children. Paul wanted them to still be aware and understand that he longed to come to them, but his desire to minister this gift to those in need in Jerusalem must be done immediately. This is why Paul concluded the last discourse with these words, Romans 15:28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. NKJV Paul was well aware also of the danger that awaited him once he arrived in Jerusalem, for this is the place where he was beaten with rods and received the 40 lashes minus one on five separate occasions. Therefore, Paul now solicits their prayers to be joined with his prayers for him to escape those unruly, ungodly, and unregenerate men that satan would use again to cause him trouble in delivering the gift to the poor saints in Jerusalem and also would cause him further delay in coming to them in Rome.

Paul uses the English word beseech and it is translated from the Greek word parakaleo which is a strong word meaning to entreat or request earnestly, call for, to exhort, to desire, to implore, or even to beg. This is the same word Paul used in Romans 12:1 when writing to these same Christians in Rome expressing his desire that they present their individual bodies to our Lord Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice of holy worship to Him. Paul is deeply moved emotionally here, surely as a saved man that does not want to once again find himself at the end of the Jews whips, but more so that his service to the poor saints there in Jerusalem be not hindered by satan’s attacks. As we have documented in previous studies, Paul was always ever more mindful of finishing his course for our Lord Jesus Christ rather than his own safety or comfort, so it is certain that his request of prayer from them for him was for that very purpose that he would furnish this “love gift” to those hurting sisters and brothers in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-24).

Paul confirms that truth by imploring their prayers for him “for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake” because Paul knew perhaps better than all others that when our Lord’s children or members of His Mystical Body suffers, He Suffers with them until He provides the method, manner, and means of relief to that child or children and member or members of His Body. That is why Paul solicits their prayers not just that he might avoid physical persecution, but that nothing stop the transmission of this prescribed relief ordained by our Lord Himself for these suffering and struggling saints. Paul knew the hostile waters he was about to again re-enter required additional partnering in prayer and striving, strenuous effort, battling, struggling, and warring with him in the spiritual realm against the principalities and powers that would come against him to stop his mission for our Lord Jesus Christ to bring the long awaited relief these Jerusalem Christians needed. God’s peace was sure to follow and flow in all of their hearts in Rome as well as Paul’s heart as he makes his way to Jerusalem and then on to them to rest and refresh his spirit with them, to God be all the glory, Amen.

“The Apostle felt that it was in the line of the divine will that he should visit Rome, Romans 1:10. Relying, as he did, on the efficacy of prayer, it is not surprising to find him urging his Roman friends to unite with him in asking, as in Romans 15:31-32, that his way may be made plain. The prayer was not answered quite as he expected. He little thought that he would come as a prisoner, bound to a soldier, and at the expense of the Roman Empire. Yet he came with joy, and found refreshment and rest with the beloved circle of disciples whom he enumerates in the following chapter. How little do the most of us know of this striving in prayer! But how near we get to absent friends when we pray like this! ‘Strive together with me.’” F. B. Meyer

“We must put forth all that is within us in that duty; pray with fixedness, faith, and fervency; wrestle with God, as Jacob did; pray in praying, as Elias did (James 5:17), and stir up ourselves to take hold on God (Isaiah 64:7); and this is not only when we are praying for ourselves, but when we are praying for our friends. True love to our brethren should make us as earnest for them as sense of our own need makes us for ourselves. That you strive together with me. When he begged their prayers for him, he did not intend thereby to excuse his praying for himself; no, ‘Strive together with me, who am wrestling with God daily, upon my own and my friends’ account.’ He would have them to ply the same oar. Paul and these Romans were distant in place, and likely to be so, and yet they might join together in prayer; those who are put far asunder by the disposal of God’s providence may yet meet together at the throne of His grace. Those who beg the prayers of others must not neglect to pray for themselves.” Matthew Henry

“Paul was always mindful of the power in collective prayer, springing forth from hearts of genuine love for God and His children and seeking the Glory of Christ Jesus our Lord, knowing that such prayers would never go long without receiving an affirmative answer from God the Father’s Throne.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…