As a Christian, I’m telling you the truth. I’m not lying. The Holy Spirit, along with my own thoughts, supports me in this. I have deep sorrow and endless heartache.
I wish I could be condemned and cut off from Christ for the sake of others who, like me, are Jewish by birth. They are Israelites, God’s adopted children. They have the Lord’s glory, the pledges [covenants], Moses’ Teachings, the true worship, and the promises.
The Messiah is descended from their ancestors according to his human nature. The Messiah is God over everything, forever blessed. Amen. (Romans 9:1-5 (GW)
Doctrine is important, worship is valuable, but prayer is essential to spiritual growth. Prayer also is a strong indicator of where our heart is with God. Honest prayer. This simple prayer of the apostle Paul reveals his heart for his people.
At the end of Romans Chap 8, we're reminded that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus are intercessors on behalf of believers (Rom 8:27, 34). Chap 9 of Romans opens with Paul interceding for the people of Israel, so that they may know the Messiah—Jesus.
He opens his heart to God and lets us see inside it. It pleads with passion for his own people—Israel—who have the Lord's favor, the covenant promises, and true worship guided by the Law. Jesus the Messiah was descended from Abraham, through King David, and He is God in nature.
But Israel was blind to this, even as it is now. So also, many nations with some heritage of the gospel in their history need interceding believers. Yes, we need to reach the unreached and unengaged. Still, many nations formerly reached and engaged with the gospel need intercession once again.
The question is—Are we interceding on behalf of our own nation? Are we praying for their blind eyes and closed hearts to be opened to the Lord? ©Word-Strong_2016