Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 1:1-17 (NIV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him, we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us enough to have chosen messengers like the Apostle Paul to share the Good News of Your Gospel: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Help us to live our faith as Paul did, with the commitment to sharing the Gospel. Open our hearts to hear your call into fellowship with others so that we might be encouraged by each other’s faith in Jesus. Bless us with the eagerness of Paul to bring the Gospel to those who are troubled during these difficult days. We praise your righteousness revealed in the Gospel. Increase our desire to live righteous lives that bring glory to You. Increase our trust in You that we would be less focused on our troubles and worries and more joyful in knowing You are with us. Grant us your peace that we would be an inspiration to others to seek You. Give us the courage to not be ashamed of the Gospel in times of trial and controversy. Help us to learn more about the Gospel so that we will be prepared to help others who want to know You. We thank and praise You for all you have done for us. Please keep us in Your protection and favor. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
(Today’s prayer submitted by Brad Rake)