For whom is Paul praying? “Israel”
It is helpful to remember the context for this
prayer. Paul is in the midst of three
chapters dealing with Israel as a nation.
Is God finished with them? (NO!) Did God shortchange Israel, not really
giving them an opportunity to believe? (NO!)
And, according to Rom. 11:26-27, the day will come when the Nation of
Israel will be saved. Thus, here are a
couple of things to consider.
·
Paul’s praying is based in Paul’s doctrine. Sound doctrine is essential, but not just as
an end in itself. It is essential
because we feel and choose and act and speak out of our doctrine. If we are not moved to pray for the unsaved,
then either our doctrine is not sound; or there is a disconnect between
doctrine and practice.
·
Paul prays for their salvation at a time when he
can say, they have a zeal for God but not according to knowledge … have not
submitted to the righteousness of God.
Israel as a nation was blinded: He came unto His own and His own
received Him not (John 1:11).
Nevertheless, there were some of Israel, like Paul, who did believe: But
as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God. We ought never to stop praying for people
just because they seem to us to be hopeless.
To whom is God praying? “God”
Be patient on this matter. There are times when Paul speaks of God in
special ways that will be important for us to recognize.
What moves Paul to pray? “my heart’s desire”
Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. He certainly had a desire that they would
have free access to the gospel of God’s grace (2 Cor. 5:14-15; Eph. 6:18-20). But he never forgot his kinsmen. He had great sorrow and continual grief in
His heart for the unbelieving Nation.
Do you think it was just religious hyperbole when Paul said, I would
wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen
according to the flesh? No! He was genuine. The question to ask is, who in my circle am I
so burdened about that I would take their place in hell?
What request does Paul present? “that
they may be saved”
He is praying for eternal life, for the work
of the cross of Christ to be applied to the nation. He is not praying for deliverance from the
Romans. He is praying for deliverance
from sin. Thus, it is a prayer that
their hearts would be open to the gospel, that the gospel would be preached,
that laborers would be sent to the Jewish world, and that the Holy Spirit’s
work of conviction would flourish among them.
What a great prayer!
Fill in the blank: My heart’s desire and
prayer to God is that ____ may be saved.
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