MARCH 24: PRAYING WITH PURPOSE AND PASSION

It is God’s ordained purpose that believers pray for one another, especially for those at the fore front of missions and ministerial activities because of the challenges they face daily in the course of their ministries. In today’s devotional text, Apostle Paul himself requests the Roman believers to pray for him in his ministry. Paul’s request teaches us that every man, no matter how powerful, spiritually and physically, is vulnerable sometimes, and needs some prayer coverages from others. The prayer of intercession is very important and necessary for the ministry of every believer in Christ.

Notice that Paul’s prayer request was very specific: he asked the believers to pray for him so that he would be delivered from unbelievers in Judea and that his service in Jerusalem would be accepted by the saints (Romans 15:31). Paul’s prayer request here suggests two things; first, it suggests that there are places where the word of God may meet some level of resistance by the people. There are places where the word of God is not easily and immediately accepted and as a result, passionate prayers are needed for breakthroughs into such environments.  Second, the request suggests that prayer is not just a vague expression of good intentions, but a powerful tool for specific needs. It means that we do not use prayer to express our grammatical fluency and oratory prowess, rather, prayer is a tool for meeting needs.

As we pray purposefully and passionately, we align ourselves with God’s will and purpose, we recognize our dependence on Him and His power to accomplish His plan’s. We must prioritize praying with purpose and passion as we bring our specific needs and struggles before God.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, teach me how to pray with purpose and passion as I bring my needs before you in Jesus’ name, Amen.