Romans 15:22-33

Be Still: Lord, today open the eyes of my heart. Speak to me through your Word. Guide my steps and lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen

Read: Romans 15: 22-33 

'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.' (v30)

Encounter: A few years ago, I hit a real low. The enormity of all I was carrying caught up with me. Rachel strongly encouraged me to gather some key leaders from church to share my struggles and ask them to pray for me. I was resistant to this, because I felt, in communicating my weakness, they would question whether I was up to being a leader. After a while I reluctantly acquiesced. One Sunday about eight friends came over to our house and I shared honestly. The way they responded blew me away. In sharing my fragilities, rather than feeling rejected and abandoned, I felt loved, encouraged, and supported.

I love Charlie Mackesy’s drawings of ‘The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.’ In one drawing, the boy asks the horse: 'What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?' To this the horse simply replies: 'Help!'

The Apostle Paul wasn’t too proud to ask for help. He was navigating so much as a leader, all against the backdrop of a serious famine throughout the Roman Empire. The pressures, strains, and opposition he was coming against was intense. And so, Paul vulnerably says – ‘Help.’ He asks for prayer so that he may continue faithfully in his ministry.

Apply: Where are you feeling tired and weary? Overwhelmed and anxious? Where do you need people to pray for you – perhaps regarding a situation at work, or a health scare, a difficulty at home? Let’s not be too proud to ask for help. Who could you message today and ask – ‘Would you be happy to pray for me?’ 

Devote: Lord, thank you for the strength you give us. Thank you that so much of your love and care is demonstrated through friends, family, and other believers. Help me to be more honest with others.