Just Ask

“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;” (Ro 15:30 AV)

There is something to be said for living a private life.  But there is also something harmful about it, too.  We do not ask for prayer nearly as much as we should.  We want to seem stronger than we are.  We want to hide those things that are nature to all so that we appear to live on spiritually high ground.  This is particularly true of a leader.  We see a weakness in asking for prayer.  We think that somehow, if we ask for prayer, others will think less of us.  The result is the lack of prayer and concern from people who love us and desire to share our burdens.  We are too private.  We are too secluded.  We are lack transparency so that others can help shoulder what we are surrendered to bear.

Paul is asking for prayer for a very specific reason here.  He is convinced that he should go to Jerusalem even though he was warned several times not to go.  We don’t know if he sought prayer from the Romans prior to, or after the warning.  If prior to, then this is very interesting.  Regardless, his decision to go to Jerusalem was not a naïve on.  He knew exactly what might befall him if he returned to the capital city of the people who once commissioned him to persecute Christians.  The Jews would seek his life.  This he was willing to concede.  His prayer is for safety and they he might ultimately come to the Romans who were praying for him.

God answered both.  Although Paul went Rome in bounds as opposed to free, he still arrived there safely.  Shipwreck and death threats not withstanding.  The point is, Paul was not too prideful to ask for prayer.  It is interesting that our missionaries don’t seem to have a whole lot of conceit that forbids them from seeking prayer.  They are quick to mention all their needs in a letter to their supporting churches.  They have realized how important the prayers of God’s people are to their ministry and even lives.  Would that all of us had the humility of our missionaries and were quicker to seek companionship in the prayers of others.