Today’s Scripture: Romans 9-11
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. – Psalm 126:5-6
Years ago, Lorne Sanny, then president of The Navigators, was teaching a seminar on prayer. He told us, “Prayer is not preparation for doing the work of God; prayer is the work of God.” I wrote it down at the time and have given it a good deal of thought since. I believe he was right.
The apostle Paul prayed, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). Paul’s heart desire led him to pray.
Perhaps you know someone you would like to see come to salvation in Christ. One of the first steps you can take in bringing that desire to reality is to pray. However, there’s more to prayer than walking into God’s office and dropping a memo into His in-basket. The context of Paul’s prayer is that it grew out of a deep inner longing. In Romans 9:2, Paul said of his desire for his people’s salvation: “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”
Most of us don’t have much trouble coming to God with a heart full of deep personal concerns–work, finances, relationships. But are we just as burdened for others? Does their salvation weigh as heavily on our minds and hearts as the material things we think we need?
How can we get the same kind of heart as the apostle Paul? The only way I know is to spend time with Jesus Christ, who was moved with compassion toward people. When Jesus looked at the city of Jerusalem, He wept. The closer we walk with Christ in our life of daily discipleship, the deeper our desires will grow in prayer for others.
Prayer
Lord, as I spend time with You in prayer, give me a heart like Yours for the lost. Amen.
To Ponder
Prayer is sharing our hearts with God, not just reciting a list of people and things for Him to bless.
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