… ³¹ that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may prove acceptable to the saints; ³² so that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company.

Lofty prayers exalting the grandeur and character of God, spoken in public contexts, have their place, but the real work of prayer takes place in the specifics. Prayer does not require a special language, as some erroneously interpret the “tongues of men and of angels” Paul spoke of in 1 Corinthians 13:1. (We believe he was using hyperbole to refer to eloquent, albeit human, speaking. After all, every time in Scripture when angels spoke, they are recorded to have used human language.) Nor does prayer require a formal “Christianese” sprinkled with thee’s and thou’s or an emotional voice. Rather, prayer involves straightforward requests for specific needs.

Here we learn from Paul’s example four things in particular that weighed heavily on him. First, his plan was to go to Jerusalem to deliver the benevolence gift he had been collecting. He was under no illusion that this visit would go without difficulty. The Lord’s work is dangerous work, and he realized full well the need for God’s protection from those Jews who were “disobedient” to the Gospel message and who were seething about Paul’s ministry.

Second, he asked for striving prayer that his visit with the Jerusalem believers would “prove acceptable.” There existed the possibility they may have fallen prey to the persecution, and some may have gone back to the legalism of the Mosaic Law. Their acceptance of him and the gift, especially in light of previous interactions with them (see Galatians 1-2 and Acts 15), was important for the solidarity of all believers, both Jewish and Gentile.

Third, with so much difficulty and persecution as his constant companion, Paul needed their prayer that his visit with the believers in Rome would be a joyful occasion. Indeed, the work of the Lord brings with it constant spiritual opposition from the enemy, who knowing he cannot cause us to lose our salvation (Rom 8:28-39) desires to nullify our joy. But this joy was not a foregone conclusion, and thus needed prayer. Finally, Paul prays his visit with them would refresh him. Literally this meant, as one lexicographer puts it, “to relax in someone’s company.” He was hoping for a little R&R, to use a military term (rest and relaxation). Indeed, Paul saw the importance of Christian fellowship as he wrote to the Corinthians, “We rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all” (2 Cor 7:13b).

Lord, help me experience the full refreshment and joy of fellowship with the Christians in my church.