Romans 16 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 16.

Meditate on verse 19.

For the report of your obedience has reached to all;

therefore, I am rejoicing over you,

but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

You have come to the last chapter in Romans, the chapter you might be tempted to skip because it contains 35 names of people you may have never heard of. It is like those Old Testament genealogy chapters which are sometimes described as boring. Remember, “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Romans 16 is no exception.

First, the names are fascinating. For example, Rufus, in verse 13, is the son of Simon of Cyrene, who was “pressed into service” by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Christ (Mark 15:21). Imagine how that moment changed for eternity the life of Simon’s family, so much so, his boy, Rufus, would later be described by Paul as “a choice man in the LORD” (Romans 16:13).

The descriptions that accompany the 35 names are great phrases to pray over yourself and others. Pray for these to characterize you and those you love.

            *A helper of many

            *Risked their own necks for my life

            *Worked hard for you

            *Outstanding among the apostles

            *Fellow worker in Christ

            *The approved in Christ

            *In the Lord

            *Workers in the LORD

            *Worked hard in the LORD

            *A choice man in the LORD

            *Host to me and to the whole church

Also pray Romans 16:19 over those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let the report of ______________ obedience reach to all,

so that I am rejoicing over them.

Let them be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.

 In Your name, Jesus~

The WATCHMAN on the WALL ~ Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell