Paul's Plan to Visit Rome - Surrendering in Prayer

Hello friends and welcome back to The Book of Romans Series. Today we are exploring the rest of chapter fifteen. Yesterday we talked about how we ought not live a life that is self-pleasing, but we should live a life that is pleasing to the Lord and today we will read Paul’s plan to visit Rome. We stopped at verse 22 so let’s pick it up from there:

But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. (Verses 23-29)

I love Paul. I know I’ve already said that, but he doesn’t only pray for spiritual blessing for people, but he does it best to give them the material blessings they need.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Verses 30-33)

Tomorrow, my friends, is the last chapter where Paul goes through personal greetings. I will probably condense these a little to make the whole chapter fit in one blog, but I will also urge you to read it. I love how, in chapter sixteen, Paul gives recognition for people in the church. Even women, which weren’t really spoke of in written word around that time.

I’m going to let this blog be short. Go out and enjoy the day. And, like always, smile. Today, I will surrender in prayer. I will pray for spiritual blessings for, not only myself, but my family and friends and you, dear reader.