Romans 6 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 6.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/6/1/s_1052001

Meditate on verses 22-23.

But now having been freed from sin and enslaved

 to God, you derive your benefit,

resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is

 eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.

Spiritually resurrected people are alive in Christ and freed from the bondage of sin, the Law, and death. As a Christian, your old self is crucified, and you are raised with Christ. Sin, the Law, and death no longer master you. Now you are enslaved to God, righteousness, and grace (vs. 14, 18, 22). A word for being enslaved to God is “LORDSHIP.” Jesus calls His followers to “LORDSHIP” when He says, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Heed Christ’s command to daily deny yourself and follow Him as LORD (Master). When you mess up and allow sin, the Law, and death to be your master, quickly ask God to forgive you and make Jesus LORD of your life again, walking wholeheartedly with Him.

Pray Romans 6:22-23 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, thank You that I have been freed

from sin and enslaved to You.

The benefit is sanctification (being made pure and holy),

 and the outcome is eternal life.

LORD, please free _________ from the wages

 of sin, which is death. 

May they choose Your free gift

 of eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Romans 5 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 5.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/5/1/s_1051001

Meditate on verses 10-11.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,

much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

And not only this, but we also exult in God through our LORD Jesus Christ,

 through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Paul was so excited about what God did through Jesus for all Christians that he reinforced these great acts of God with great responses to Him. Paul responded with “exultation.” Exult comes from two Greek words meaning “to boast” and “to pray.”¹ Exultation is a rich spiritual response to God while in His presence, a Holy Spirit generated reaction to a divine realization.

Paul exults in the hope of the glory of God (v. 2). “Wow, God! You have done so much and look at what You have promised!”

Paul also exults in his tribulations (v. 3). “God, we are going to get through this with You and grow as we go!”

Paul exults in God through the LORD Jesus Christ (v. 11). “God, You love me so much! I can talk to You and brag about You because You saved, justified, and reconciled me through the LORD Jesus Christ!”

Exultation results when you recognize God’s hand in anything. Pray Romans 5:2-4 and 11 in exultation to the LORD.

“God, I exult in the hope of Your glory!

 I exult in my tribulations, knowing they bring perseverance,

 then proven character, then hope!   

I exult in You, God!

Through You, LORD Jesus Christ~”

1. Retrieved from www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2744&t=NASB

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Romans 4 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 4.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/4/1/s_1050001

Meditate on verses 2-3.

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has

something to boast about, but not before God.

 For what does the Scripture say?

“Abraham believed God, and it was

credited to him as righteousness.”

It is important to know how to become righteous. Paul writes that salvation is not from works (vs. 2-8), religion (vs. 9-12), or the Law (vs. 13-15). Salvation by faith, as a result of God’s grace, makes you righteous.

Abraham’s faith is used as a model of this salvation. God promised 100-year-old Abraham that he would have a child with his 90-year-old wife, Sarah. Abraham doubted his or her body would be able to deliver, but he had faith that God would deliver on His promise.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might

 become a father of many nations

according to that which had been spoken,

“So shall your descendants be.”

 With respect to the promise of God, he did

 not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith,

giving glory to God, and being fully

assured that what God had promised,

He was able also to perform. Therefore, it

was also credited to him as righteousness.

—Romans 4:18, 20-22

Faith is how you get to know God’s salvation and become a Christian.

Pray Romans 4:18 and 19-22 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please give _______ and me hope against hope.

Let us not become weak in faith, nor waver in unbelief.

 Help us be strong in faith, giving You glory, fully assured that

what You promised You are able to perform.

Let _______ be credited with righteousness by believing in You.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Romans 3 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/3/1/s_1049001

Meditate on verses 21-24.

But now apart from the Law, the righteousness of God

 has been manifested, being witnessed by

 the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God

through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe;

for there is no distinction; for all

 have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

being justified as a gift by His grace

 through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Chapter 3 is a glorious chapter answering questions many were asking in the Roman church. It is assumed the founders of this church were Jews who had traveled to Jerusalem during the seasons of Passover and Pentecost, witnessing the crucifixion of Christ and the events following. They were some of the first believers who returned to the synagogues in Rome with news of Messiah’s coming. Many of the Jews believed, as well as non-Jewish people who heard the Gospel. Paul is writing a church made up of Jewish and non-Jewish Christians, addressing questions that could be summed up as: What part of the Jewish traditions and Law are required to be a faithful Christian?

Paul answers by showing that The Law, the first testament of God, has been completed by Christ, and a new standard, the Law of Faith has been established. This New Testament, or Covenant, fulfills the requirements of righteousness through the death of Jesus for all mankind.

Pray Romans 3:21-24 in thanksgiving for what God in Christ accomplished.

“LORD, thank You that Your righteousness

 has been manifested apart from the Law.

Thank You for Your righteousness for all those

 who believe through faith in Jesus Christ.

Thank You that there is no distinction, for all of us

have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. 

Thank You for justifying us as a gift of Your grace

through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

In Your name, Jesus ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Romans 2 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/2/1/s_1048001

Meditate on verse 7.

To those who by perseverance in doing good seek

for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.

.

The meditation verse is interesting. It is placed between verses that describe the attitudes and actions of people who will experience God’s wrath rather than His blessings. Many would say that seekers of glory, honor, and immortality are selfish people; however, God says that seeking those things will be rewarded with life eternal.

God is not saying to seek personal glory and honor, but rather His glory and honor. Glory is the essence of God’s presence or nature revealed, and honor is due Him because He is God. Persevering in doing good for the glory and honor of God is the goal of every Christian—every attainer of immortality.

Let these words from Peter’s letter bring additional insight into what God means by seeking glory and honor and immortality:

So that the proof of your faith, being more precious

 than gold… may be found to result in

praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

—1 Peter 1:7

Prove your faith in the Giver of immortality by persevering in doing good for His praise and glory and honor.

Pray Romans 2:7-8 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please let _______ and me persevere in doing good as we seek for Your

glory and honor and immortality—eternal life.

LORD, please help _____ and ______, who are selfishly ambitious

and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness;

save them from wrath and indignation.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Romans 1 - Praying God's Word

Please read Romans 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/rom/1/1/s_1047001

Meditate on verses 7-8.

To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father

and the LORD Jesus Christ.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ

 for you all because your faith is being

 proclaimed throughout the whole world.

Paul was a great church planter. He saw the Holy Spirit move in people’s lives and eternity change because of their faith. Paul wrote this letter to the Roman church because of news he heard about them from other global travelers. They were famous for their faith in God. Many churches, today, are famous for who their pastor is or how large they are. This church in Rome was famous for believing God is real and the Gospel is true.

Paul loved this church and prayed unceasingly for them (vs. 9-11). He desperately wanted them to be even more blessed, and he wanted to come and help them.

Add to your prayers for God to bless churches greatly and beg Him to let you be a blessing, so they may become more established in Him.

Pray Romans 1:7-8 over churches for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please bless all who are beloved of You in

the church at ______, called as saints.

Give them grace and peace from You,

 our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ.

I thank You, God, through Jesus Christ for all of them.

Let their faith be proclaimed throughout the whole world.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus ~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 48 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 48.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/48/1/s_850001

Meditate on verse 35b.

And the name of the city from that day shall be, “The LORD is there.”

As Ezekiel relayed the messages and visions from God to the exiles in Babylon, they must have been encouraged to learn a day was coming when Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, and God’s glory will return. Jerusalem’s gates will be named for the 12 tribes of Israel (v. 31). Today, some of those gates are named: Herod Gate, Damascus Gate, and The Dung Gate—how exciting a name change will be! And, the best name change will be Jerusalem’s new name: “The LORD Is There” (v. 35). God’s glory will remain forever.

Name changes are a big deal, and if you are a Christian, you have been given some new names. Before Jesus, you were called: “son of disobedience” and “child of wrath” (Ephesians 2:2-3). In Christ, you are now known as: “child of God,” “chosen of God,” and “beloved” (1 John 3:1; Colossians 3:12). You can even be described as “The LORD is there” because His Spirit abides in you (John 14:17; 1 John 4:13).

Pray for the day to come when God fulfills His promises to Israel as recorded in Ezekiel. Pray for those you love to be described as “The LORD is there” by praying Ezekiel 48:35 as their faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, I look forward to the day that

Jerusalem is named, “The LORD Is There.”

Please come into the life

 of _________ so You are there, too.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 47 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 47.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/47/1/s_849001

Meditate on verse 1a.

Then he brought me back to the door of the house;

 and behold, water was flowing

 from under the threshold of the house.

Imagine this flow of water coming from the temple of the LORD. The farther it goes, the deeper it becomes, deep enough for swimming, bringing life and healing everywhere it flows. Doesn’t this river’s description make you want to dive in and experience its refreshment?

Hear Jesus’ words to a hot and tired woman. As you listen to their conversation, hear Him speak these life-giving words to you.

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him,

 and He would have given you living water."

She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep;

where then do You get that living water?" 

Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

—John 4:10-11, 13-14

Jesus is the Living Water that flows through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. As you grow in Christ, the Living Water isn’t merely a trickle (v. 2); it is a deep river bringing life to you and those in your realm of influence.

Pray for Ezekiel 47:9 to be a reality in your life and those you love.

“LORD, let __________ and me live in every place

 where Your river goes.  Make us fresh in You. 

As Your river flows from our lives,

 let everything live wherever we go.

Because of You, our Living Water, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 46 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 46.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/46/1/s_848001

Meditate on verse 18.  The LORD is speaking.

"The prince shall not take from the people's

 inheritance, thrusting them out of their possession;

he shall give his sons inheritance from his own possession

 so that My people will not be scattered, anyone from his possession."

Recall how King Ahab took Naboth’s vineyard by murdering him and seizing his property in 1 Kings 21. God told Ezekiel a day is coming when rulers will no longer take what does not belong to them. The inheritance of God’s people will be secure; they will not be dispossessed.

As a child of God, you already live in the reality of that promise:

Blessed be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy

has caused us to be born again to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the

 dead, to obtain an inheritance which is

 imperishable and undefiled and will not fade

 away, reserved in heaven for you, who

 are protected by the power of God through

faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

—1 Peter 1:3-5

Pray for the Jewish people to see the fulfillment of God’s promises from the book of Ezekiel and thank the LORD for the assurance of these promises in your life.

Pray Ezekiel 46:18 in thanksgiving and supplication as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, thank You that ________ and my inheritance

 in You cannot be taken from us;

we cannot be thrust out of our possession. 

As Your people, we will not be scattered

from our lasting possession in You. 

LORD, please make _________ one of Your people.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Ezekiel 45 - Praying God's Word

Please read Ezekiel 45.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/eze/45/1/s_847001

Meditate on verse 9.

Thus says the Lord GOD, "Enough, you princes

of Israel; put away violence

and destruction, and practice

 justice and righteousness.

Stop your expropriations from

My people," declares the Lord GOD.

God not only takes the role of priest very seriously, He also holds the ministry of being a leader to His high standards. Recall from your readings in 1 and 2 Kings that most of Israel and Judah’s rulers were described as evil in the sight of God. Their abominations didn’t merely trickle down to the people; they cascaded, corrupting both people and land. As the land of Israel laid destitute and Ezekiel and the exiles sat in Babylon as punishment for those evil acts, God gave Ezekiel this vision of the land being used for His holy purposes and the princes of Israel no longer oppressing the people (vs. 1-4, 8). How encouraging that God can bring people up to His holy standards!

How would God describe you as a leader? Let this chapter both convict and reassure you. Ask God to remove areas of your life not in keeping with His holiness. Ask Him to fill you with His righteous ways. Ask Him to do the same in lives of leaders in your world. Use the words from Ezekiel 45:8- 10 to pray over yourself and other leaders as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let _________ and me no longer

 oppress the people.  Let us put away violence and destruction.

 Let us practice justice and righteousness.

Do not let us expropriate anything from others. 

Give us just balances.

In Your name, Jesus~”

The WATCHMAN on the WALL, 3 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell