Mutual Encouragement
Opening Prayer
Take time now to remember people who have encouraged your faith. Thank God for their impact upon you.
Read Romans 1:8-13
[8] First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. [9] God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you [10] in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. [11] I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong- [12] that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. [13] I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why is Paul so eager to go to Rome?Approaching a new colleague with the question, “Do you remember me?” I was surprised by her ecstatic response. It was 45 years since we had spoken. I had invited Jesus into my heart as a child on a Scripture Union beach mission. She had been my small group leader. She remembered me, and told me she had prayed for me. That I had continued in faith elated her. She returned the next day with photos of my 9-year-old self that summer. Her prayers had encouraged me; my story similarly encouraged her! It was a bit like that with Paul and the Romans. Here, he displays passion for a church he hasn’t yet met! Paul is entwined with them. He praises God for them (8), prays for them (10), longs for them (11), and seeks mutual encouragement and new believers for them (13). Paul is by God’s activity in others. What impact do you think his words had on the faith of the young Roman church? When people abandon faith we feel wounded. But how often do we step out of our indifference to speak or pray actively into another’s life?
Apply
Think of someone who needs encouragement in their faith. Commit to pray for them, and let them know today.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of faith and all it means to me. May I encourage someone else’s, too.
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