Romans 11:1-12

Be Still: Lord as I sit and reflect on your Word, open my eyes to see you. Amen

Read: Romans 11:1-12

'So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.' (v5-6) 

Encounter: In November 1949, Peggy and Christine Smith, two sisters in their 80’s, felt burdened to pray for their village church. They prayed for two to three nights a week. Peggy called her church leaders to join them in praying for revival. Soon a prayer movement had started – Peggy and Christine in their home and other people praying in a barn. This went on for several weeks until at 3am one morning, the presence of God filled the barn. The intercessors walked out of the barn to find men and women kneeling in repentance along the side of the roads. From 1949 to 1952, revival marked the Isle of Lewis. All because two women felt impelled to pray, 

In today's passage, Paul refers to the story of Elijah who led a remnant who were faithful to God among the thousands of disobedient Israelites; and Paul reminds his Roman readers that, in their present time, there is a small remnant who are faithful to God through belief in Jesus. God’s plan didn’t and doesn't depend on the number of people, nor does it depend on their merit; it is outworked through a gift of grace to those who commit to him.

Jesus in Matthew 9:35-38 says: 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.' 

Perhaps there is something that God is placing on your heart to pray for; there may not be many people praying for the same thing but be encouraged by the story of Peggy and Christine, God doesn’t need a large crowd, he just needs a faithful few committed to following him and to pray. 

Apply: What is God placing on your heart to pray for? Take time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it. Could you share it with a few friends and commit to praying and then see what God can do? 

Devote: Holy Spirit, would you speak to me and reveal the things you have placed on my heart to pray for and teach me how to pray for them.