Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Based on the elaboration provided in the Discussion section, I would say that we are motivated to act altruistically toward others, as well as to pray for them based on the personal awareness that each Christian should have of the sins that God has forgiven in them based on their faith in Christ. It is that awareness that then allows them to sympathize with the faults and shortcomings of others, and to extend the same forgiveness to those others that God has extended to them, as well as to pray for their success in dealing with those situations. 

The passages that speak most directly to me about this motivation are Luke 11:4 (the petition in the Lord's Prayer that links our forgiveness of others to our own forgiveness by God), as well as Ephesians 4:32.

Similarly, Jesus can sympathize with each of us in our weaknesses because He was tempted just as we have been (although without sin in His case)(Hebrews 4:15).

October 04 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

The apostle Paul prays, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

This was a really important prayer for the church in Rome. When the church was first established it was a mixture of Jews who converted from Judaism to Christianity, and gentiles who converted from various pagan religions to Christianity. The church grew and matured with this blend of people, but then Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome for about 12 years. Thereafter, the Roman church developed a distinctly gentile culture. When the Emperor changed, the Jews were allowed to return, and the church experienced a major influx of Jewish believers. This created lots of different problems for the church, all based on whether they would accept one another, just as Christ had accepted them. In the entire book of Romans, Paul's letter to the church in Rome, he continually affirms and builds up both the Jews and gentiles to strengthen and unify the church there.

Accept one another as equals:

We need to pray for other Christians and ourselves, that we would accept each other as equals. The bible says there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, man or woman, we are all one (equal) in Christ Jesus. To that end we need to repent individually and corporately as churches of all bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism based on sex, race, religion, economic status, or any other dividing factor. We need to pray for the heart that welcomes anyone and everyone into the church. Jesus himself welcomed prostitutes and tax collectors, two of the most detestable groups in Jewish society, into his church.

Unify all Christians under the lordship of Jesus:

We need to pray for unity in the church, for the removal of the denominational barriers that separate us. Jesus prayed for this unity in his church: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

October 05 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Zachary Campbell

## Praying for Fellow Christians: Inspired by Romans 15:5-13:

In Romans 15:5-13, Paul offers a beautiful prayer for fellow believers, highlighting several key aspects we can incorporate into our own prayers:

**1. Unity in Faith (vs. 5-7):**

* **Pray for harmonious relationships:** Ask God to break down walls of division and replace them with understanding and empathy. Remember, Christ calls us to be "one" (John 17:21).
* **Pray for a shared focus on Christ:** Lift up fellow believers that they may not fixate on individual differences but be united in their love for Jesus and their mission to follow Him.
* **Pray for the joy of shared celebration:** Express gratitude for the diversity within the Body of Christ and pray for opportunities to celebrate and learn from each other in unity.

**2. Encouragement and Strength (vs. 7-8):**

* **Pray for fellow believers facing burdens:** Ask God to grant them strength and resilience in the face of challenges, reminding them of His promises.
* **Pray for opportunities to offer encouragement:** Seek ways to actively be sources of support and upliftment for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
* **Pray for the joy of hope:** Lift up those facing discouragement and pray that God would renew their hope in His unchanging love and faithfulness.

**3. Joy and Peace in Challenges (vs. 10-13):**

* **Pray for a deeper understanding of Scripture:** Ask God to open their hearts to the message of hope and joy found in His Word, even amidst difficulties.
* **Pray for God's peace to pervade their hearts:** Ask that the Holy Spirit would grant them a calming presence and assurance of God's love, regardless of circumstances.
* **Pray for a spirit of thankfulness:** Encourage believers to find gratitude even in difficult times, recognizing God's constant presence and provision.

**4. Growth and Witness (vs. 12-13):**

* **Pray for opportunities for spiritual growth:** Ask God to open doors for learning, reflection, and deeper discipleship experiences.
* **Pray for a deeper understanding of God's love:** Lift up prayers that God would reveal His immense love and grace to each heart, transforming their lives and motivating their actions.
* **Pray for boldness in witnessing:** Ask God to equip and empower believers to share their faith confidently and compassionately, leading others to Christ.

**5. Experiencing God's Blessings (vs. 13):**

* **Pray for the fullness of God's blessings:** Ask God to pour out His abundant blessings upon each believer, both spiritual and material, according to His perfect will.
* **Pray for a transformative presence of the Holy Spirit:** Lift up prayers that the Holy Spirit would empower believers to walk in Christ's footsteps, reflecting His love and leading lives marked by His character.

Remember, prayer is a powerful tool of love and support. As we lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ, we become instruments of God's grace, fostering unity, encouragement, and growth in His Kingdom.

February 19 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Paul supplicates that God would support the Roman church with perseverance, consolation, and solidarity (Ro 15:5-7. He implores that God will fill the Roman church with satisfaction, harmony, and expectation (Ro 15:13).

October 05 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report