Praying Through Romans 8Sýnishorn

Take a moment to stop and breathe. As you turned on this podcast, there were certainly many things on your mind, vying for your attention and stealing your focus away. Responsibilities, to-do lists, and anxieties can overwhelm us. We forget that pausing and praying for God to work in our lives is far more effective than rushing ahead and trying to do all of the work ourselves. Whatever those troublesome things may be, stop for just a moment and tell the Lord what they are.

Now, ask the Lord to go before you in those things. Ask Him to be your provision and your strength today. Cast your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Thank the Lord for His active presence in your life today. Ask Him to increase your awareness, sensitivity, and obedience to the Holy Spirit as you go through your day.

So far in at the end of Romans 7 and into chapter 8, Paul has expressed his own inability to do the things he wants to do and his proclivity to do the things he does not want to do. However, we’ve been reminded that Christ has bridged that gap for us, and there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Those who walk with Christ walk according to the Spirit, and not the flesh. We’ve been adopted by God as His own children, and are now awaiting with hope the day God will make all things new and glorify us by making us into the image of Christ. Until then, he’s given us His Spirit as a helper and promises to work all things together for our good. Take a moment to stop and consider the sovereignty of God and the ever-present help of His Spirit.

Acknowledge God’s presence with you, and ask God to make you more dependent on His Spirit today.

Today, Paul concludes Chapter 8 by emphasizing the victory we have in Christ, and the amazing love of God, which will never be taken away from us. As you listen, remember that Paul is responding to all of the points he’s detailed up to now. Consider his reaction to these truths and consider what it means to you.

"31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:31-39

Take a moment to pray to God–talk to Him about anything that stood out to you in this passage.

Listen again to the first half of this passage. If there are any phrases or words that stand out to you, take note of them.

"31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?33Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."

Think about the power of God. Think about the fact that God created the universe and holds it all together. Think about Jesus. The firstborn from among the dead, the one who died and was raised. Now consider that God is for you. He is on your side, working for your good. Jesus himself is interceding on your behalf. Stop to pray and thank God for His love for you.

Over everything going on in your life and all that’s on your mind, surrender control to God and ask Him to work on your behalf.

Now listen again to the end of Romans 8, and meditate on the strength and power of God’s love for you.

"35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Pray now, and thank God for His unending love for you.

Ask God to help you believe more deeply in His love for you today.

Ask God to help you love Him as He loves you, with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Thank you for joining us this week, as we prayed through the eighth chapter of Romans. Throughout your day, take some moments to stop and recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit with you. Continually remind yourself that you are God’s child, with complete access to Him through prayer. Remember the promises He has given you in Christ and let it fill you with hope. Ask God to help you walk in the Spirit today.