DAVID FRAMPTON
What do the prayers of a godly man sound like as the Spirit of God moves his heart?
- Dave Frampton
- Dave Frampton
Romans 1:8-10
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (ESV)
This is not a prayer in the strict sense of the term, but rather a disclosure by Paul of how he prayed for the Roman believers, whom he had not yet met personally. Though he had desired to see them, he had been hindered from visiting. By letting them know of his prayers for them, he reassures them of his true concern for them.
1.The primacy of praise.
[1] Paul elsewhere instructs that thanksgiving is a crucial part of prayer. Ph 4:6. Here we see that his practice agreed with his teaching.
[2] Thanksgiving proceeds from that attitude or spirit of godliness that should influence all our actions. It shows a God-centered and God-exalting outlook.
[3] Thanksgiving is of first importance, for it gives God the honor he deserves. Their faith was a gift from God (Mt 16:17; Ac 16:14; Rm 12:3; Eph 2:8; Ph 1:29; 1 Tm 1:14); therefore, God is praised for his gracious work in them. “As one of the Puritans expressed it, ‘It is rent due Him for the mercies received.’” [Pink]
[4] “Nothing is more calculated to dispel a spirit of gloom from the soul than the cultivation of gratitude and praise. The same will cheer and encourage our fellow Christians. Piety is not commended by sadness and sourness.” [Pink]
2.The address to God (how he is spoken to): “my God”.
The Scriptures know of no remoteness or showy formality in addressing God, but rather reverent, personal confidence because believers know the living God. What this address expresses:
[1] A covenant relationship. Heb 8:10; Jer 31:33. The people of God can rightly use the phrase “my God.” Ps 18:1-2; 63:1; Ex 15:2; Josh 14:8; Ru 1:16; Neh 6:14; Dn 9:4,19; Jon 2:6
[2] An assured relationship. This is not the language of doubt, hesitation, and uncertainty, but of confident assurance.
[3] A loving relationship. To call someone “mine” is to declare a warm feeling of love for them.
3.The access to God: “through Jesus Christ”.
[1] The truth of the priesthood of Christ, our mediator.
[2] It is through Jesus alone that all our worship and service to God is acceptable, including our praise offerings. Eph 5:20; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15; 1 Pt 2:5
4.The subjects of his praise and petition: “for all of you” (1:8), “I remember you” (1:9).
[1] The bond of Christian fellowship is not limited to the circle of one’s personal acquaintance. Accordingly, as we hear of believers in other places, we should offer prayer and praise for them.
[2] “We thus learn the duty of Christians to pray for one another, and that those who believe the gospel are as much bound to pray for its success, and the prosperity of the churches, as to labor in the work. Both prayer and labour [sic] ought to go together. To pray without labouring is to mock God: to labour without prayer is to rob God of His glory. Until these are conjoined, the Gospel will not be extensively successful.” [Haldane]
5.Acknowledgment of God’s sovereign will: “by God’s will”.
[1] God regulates all that takes place. Prov 16:9. We should habitually impress this truth upon our minds. Js 4:13-16
[2] Importance of God’s sovereignty to prayer.
(1)We may have lawful desires which are hindered in the outworking of God’s providence. Ac 16:6-10; 2 Cor 1:15-17; etc.
(2)While the will of God is still unknown, we may ask what we will, provided our aim and request is holy. 2 Sm 2:16ff
(3)Being hindered should not stop our prayers. Lk 18:1
(4)Prayer is part of God’s plan. 2 Cor 1:10-11
.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (ESV)
This is not a prayer in the strict sense of the term, but rather a disclosure by Paul of how he prayed for the Roman believers, whom he had not yet met personally. Though he had desired to see them, he had been hindered from visiting. By letting them know of his prayers for them, he reassures them of his true concern for them.
1.The primacy of praise.
[1] Paul elsewhere instructs that thanksgiving is a crucial part of prayer. Ph 4:6. Here we see that his practice agreed with his teaching.
[2] Thanksgiving proceeds from that attitude or spirit of godliness that should influence all our actions. It shows a God-centered and God-exalting outlook.
[3] Thanksgiving is of first importance, for it gives God the honor he deserves. Their faith was a gift from God (Mt 16:17; Ac 16:14; Rm 12:3; Eph 2:8; Ph 1:29; 1 Tm 1:14); therefore, God is praised for his gracious work in them. “As one of the Puritans expressed it, ‘It is rent due Him for the mercies received.’” [Pink]
[4] “Nothing is more calculated to dispel a spirit of gloom from the soul than the cultivation of gratitude and praise. The same will cheer and encourage our fellow Christians. Piety is not commended by sadness and sourness.” [Pink]
2.The address to God (how he is spoken to): “my God”.
The Scriptures know of no remoteness or showy formality in addressing God, but rather reverent, personal confidence because believers know the living God. What this address expresses:
[1] A covenant relationship. Heb 8:10; Jer 31:33. The people of God can rightly use the phrase “my God.” Ps 18:1-2; 63:1; Ex 15:2; Josh 14:8; Ru 1:16; Neh 6:14; Dn 9:4,19; Jon 2:6
[2] An assured relationship. This is not the language of doubt, hesitation, and uncertainty, but of confident assurance.
[3] A loving relationship. To call someone “mine” is to declare a warm feeling of love for them.
3.The access to God: “through Jesus Christ”.
[1] The truth of the priesthood of Christ, our mediator.
[2] It is through Jesus alone that all our worship and service to God is acceptable, including our praise offerings. Eph 5:20; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15; 1 Pt 2:5
4.The subjects of his praise and petition: “for all of you” (1:8), “I remember you” (1:9).
[1] The bond of Christian fellowship is not limited to the circle of one’s personal acquaintance. Accordingly, as we hear of believers in other places, we should offer prayer and praise for them.
[2] “We thus learn the duty of Christians to pray for one another, and that those who believe the gospel are as much bound to pray for its success, and the prosperity of the churches, as to labor in the work. Both prayer and labour [sic] ought to go together. To pray without labouring is to mock God: to labour without prayer is to rob God of His glory. Until these are conjoined, the Gospel will not be extensively successful.” [Haldane]
5.Acknowledgment of God’s sovereign will: “by God’s will”.
[1] God regulates all that takes place. Prov 16:9. We should habitually impress this truth upon our minds. Js 4:13-16
[2] Importance of God’s sovereignty to prayer.
(1)We may have lawful desires which are hindered in the outworking of God’s providence. Ac 16:6-10; 2 Cor 1:15-17; etc.
(2)While the will of God is still unknown, we may ask what we will, provided our aim and request is holy. 2 Sm 2:16ff
(3)Being hindered should not stop our prayers. Lk 18:1
(4)Prayer is part of God’s plan. 2 Cor 1:10-11
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