Romans 1:8-12, Prayer for an Open Door to Ministry (2)

Does Paul place any conditions on the request?  “the will of God”

We are considering this prayer of Paul when he asks God that he might be able to go to Rome and see the believers there.  He wants to be there that he might have ministry among them.  He is praying for an open door.  But he only wants an answer that is according to God’s will.  Why?

Ø 1 Cor. 16:8-9: Because it is easy to confuse having many adversaries as being a closed door to ministry.  Paul is talking about Ephesus, where the opposition was great, and yet where the Lord powerfully moved (Acts 19).

Ø 2 Cor. 2:12-13: Because it is easy to think that an open door from the Lord means staying at that place.  Here he is talking about Troas, where there was an opportunity for ministry.  Yet Paul determined the Lord wanted him to move on to Macedonia.  Our Lord had a similar situation in Mark 1:35-38.  His disciples told him everyone was waiting for Him in Capernaum; in other words, there was an open door.  Yet Jesus knew the Father’s will was that He go to other places.

Ø Col. 4:2-4: Paul was in prison.  Some might consider that as meaning doors to ministry were closed for him.  Yet he was convinced that, even from prison, he could and must serve the Lord.

Ø 2 Thess. 3:1-2: Here are some of the adversaries Paul spoke about earlier: unreasonable and wicked men.  He prayed that the word would run swiftly and be glorified (received) by others.  An open door is not just a soap box; he is asking for open hearts.

Ø Rev. 3:7-9: The bottom line reason why Paul made this a matter of prayer is because our Lord Jesus, the Head of the Body, has the keys (i.e. the authority) to open and shut doors.

So, Paul needed to know what the will of God was with respect to Rome.  It’s interesting that Paul did, in fact, make it to Rome (Acts 28).  And by God’s will, he arrived via an all-expense cruise paid by the Roman government (Acts 27-28).  Paul would never have expected it to happen like that as he was writing this letter.

We also need to make this prayer a regular one regarding the Sunday School class we teach or the AWANA group we work with or the people in our neighborhoods that need to know Christ, and so forth.  We can do all the “ministry” we want, but if God is not providing an open door into the lives of those to whom we minister, we will not bear the fruit that lasts (John 15:16).

What is to be accomplished by the fulfillment of this prayer?

It will be good for Paul AND the church at Rome.  The church will be established, put on sound footing.  And Paul will be encouraged.  That is how it is with those who serve God.  When they see Him work, the servant is built up in faith as well as those being served.  What a wonderful thought!