When hubby and I visited Rome and Pompeii, we were clearly “marked” as tourists. Anybody looking at us could immediately tell we were tourists.
What was it about us that “marked” us as tourists?
We both were wearing bright orange “radios” on lanyards around our neck, attached to an earpiece in our ear … so that we could hear what our tour guide was saying. This “marked” us as a tourist.
We both were following our tour guide … paying close attention to what our tour guide was telling us. This “marked” us as a tourist.
We were gawking at the sights … and taking lots of photos. This “marked” us as a tourist.
We were wearing touristy hats. We had touristy neck fans around our neck … because it was crazy hot! These things “marked” us as tourists.
In writing to the early Christians living in ancient Rome, the Apostle Paul shared with them instructions for how to live a holy life. Just as hubby and I were clearly “marked” as tourists … so also, these characteristics in someone’s life “mark” them as being a Jesus-follower.
What are these things??
* A life which is no longer controlled by sin anymore. (Romans 6:11-13; Romans 8:9)
* A life led and guided by the Spirit of God! (Romans 8:9; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:14-17)
* A life which is a “living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1)
* A life characterized by humility. (Romans 12:3-8)
* A life characterized by love. (Romans 12:9-10)
* A life full of zeal for serving God. (Romans 12:11)
* A life characterized by joy and hope! (Romans 12:12)
* A life characterized by patience in affliction. (Romans 12:12)
* A life characterized by faithfulness in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
“Be faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
How? How do we be faithful in prayer?
By the Spirit of God who is living in us.
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” – Romans 8:26-27
The most powerful prayers are those which are in accordance with God’s will. If we are praying by the power of the Spirit of God who is living in us, then we will be praying for what God wants!
There is power when we pray in alignment with God’s will!
How do we know what God’s will is??
How do we pray by the power of the Spirit of God??
How can we access this kind of power in prayer??
By praying Scripture. The Spirit of God is the author of all Scripture. These are the words which God himself specifically intentionally wants us to know.
The things which God tells us in Scripture are clearly what God wants for us! This is God’s will. So, this is what we pray!
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:1 to “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please give me the strength to keep being a living sacrifice day … after day … after day … after day. God, I’m empty. God, I’ve given all I’ve got. God, I don’t have anything left to give. Please, God, I need your strength so I can keep pouring out one more day for you.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please renew my mind. God, there is so much bad coming at me from all angles. God, everywhere I look there is bad news. There are so many things to make me fearful. There are so many things to make me angry. God, please renew my mind. God, please give me the right thoughts to think about. God, please protect and renew my mind.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:16: “Do not be proud. … Do not be conceited.”
Furthermore, God tells us in Romans 12:3: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.”
So, this is what we pray!
“God please help me not to be proud and looking down on others. God, please develop humility in my life.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:9-10 that our “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please help me to love with sincerity. When someone is being harsh and mean, God please help me to recognize that that behavior is evil, and help me to cling to what is good. God, please help me to love with sincerity by standing up against what is evil and standing for what is right. God, please help me to love with sincerity by not lashing out with anger in response. God, please help me to love with sincerity by not harboring a grudge. God, please help me to love with sincerity, while still being able to maintain healthy boundaries. God, please help my love to stay the course and go the distance.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:11: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please help me not to lose my zeal in serving you.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:12 to: “Be joyful in hope.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please help me to be joyful in hope.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:12: Be patient in affliction.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please help me to be patient in affliction. God, please give me your strength so that I can endure this trial.”
God tells us specifically in Romans 12:14-16 to: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. … Live in harmony with one another.”
Furthermore, in Romans 12:18 God tells us: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” So, this is what we pray!
“God, please fill my life with your peace. When people are harsh and mean, God please help me to respond with peace and kindness. When people unfairly take advantage of me, God please help me to respond with peace and kindness. God, please fill my life with your peace so that I can live in harmony and at peace with those around me.”
A life that is “marked” by Jesus Christ is a life which is characterized by faithfulness in prayer!
“Be faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
