The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Romans 9:30-33 (day three)

The Mandate: An authoritative commission—traced from the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12) through the Great Commission—directing every believer and the global church to be a vehicle of blessing to unreached peoples. (From Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, next class this Spring 2027)

Romans 9:30–33 frames this mandate around faith: the Gentiles received righteousness by faith, while Israel stumbled by pursuing righteousness through works. This contrast shows that participation in God’s mission rests not on heritage or achievement, but on faith in Christ, the cornerstone.

God’s mission has never changed. Often referred to as Missio Dei, it remains constant throughout history: proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and redeeming humanity. From our limited place in the timeline, we may think mistakes were made, but God knew everything before time began. He always intended to save the world through His Messiah and establish His kingdom, though not in the way Israel’s leaders expected. God first chose Israel as His own possession; now, the rest of us are also chosen in Christ. Israel’s stumbling and downfall were prophesied and formed part of God’s plan. As a result, the rest of the world is invited to become part of God’s family through faith alone, by grace alone, and in Christ’s righteousness alone.

Jesus came to His own, and His own did not receive Him (John 1:11). In John 1:14, scholars note that Jesus became flesh and “tabernacled” among us. He is the new temple—not built by human hands, but made of living stones and founded on Christ, the Rock. Something greater than the temple in Jerusalem is here. Before Christ, people could enter the Most Holy Place only through an intermediary, and even then only once a year. To worship the God of all creation, the nations had to travel to Jerusalem. After Christ, however, the presence of the Most Holy One dwells within those who profess faith in Jesus and are born again. The nations no longer have to come to Jerusalem; instead, God’s people carry His Spirit wherever they go. His mission crosses borders and multiplies through His people. We are little tabernacles carrying God’s glory everywhere. Do you see what the Chief Cornerstone has built? It is a beautiful church that even the gates of hell cannot prevail against. Go into all the world and make disciples. That is what the church was built to do.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 9:30-33 (day two)

 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, v. 32

When you look at the law, particularly the commandments, where do you find grace? Don’t get me wrong, they were given by the God of Grace and Glory, but their intent was not mercy. Their intent was to be a plumb line for righteousness, and as such unattainable. No one is perfect. That is what the sacrificial system was for; to achieve atonement and forgiveness. Over time the law was viewed more as a merit system. Rather than helping people to see their need for forgiveness, it was viewed as a scorecard. This is a tendency that we all much acknowledge. We get so enamored with following the rules that we often forget why the rules were put in place. We take our eyes off the running of the race toward the giver of peace. The law has always served a purpose, but a pursuit of faith is where our assurance must lie.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39  (day six)

Romans 8 is triumphant, but it is not naive or sentimental. Before Paul declares that nothing can separate us from God’s love, he describes three groans.

Creation groans under the weight of decay. We groan as we wait for the redemption of our bodies. And the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. This means groaning is not necessarily a failure of faith. It is often the honest language of people who know that the world is not yet as it should be, while still trusting that God is making all things new.

Sometimes suffering leaves us without the words to pray. But the Spirit does not wait for us to find the right words. He meets us in our weakness, carries our wordless prayers to the Father, and keeps turning our hearts toward resurrection.

Christian hope does not silence lament, heartache, or even anger in the middle of suffering; it gives each direction. We ache toward the freedom, healing, and glory God has promised.

When all you can do is groan, you are not alone, unheard, or abandoned. Even your groans are being gathered into God’s work of renewal.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39  (day five)

Do you think about our Christian brothers and sisters suffering for the sake of Christ? For a couple years now, I’ve been reading from a Daily Bible that has a story and a prayer for the persecuted. This keeps my perspective in the right place. More specifically, it humbles me that I’m not experiencing tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, or having a sword pointed at me daily. Yet other Believers are being put to death like sheep being sacrificed as an offering to the Lord. In 2026, the number of Christians killed for their faith worldwide rose to 4,849, with 93% of those deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. Approximately one in seven Christians worldwide, which translates to about 14%, face persecution for their faith. This includes various forms of persecution, such as discrimination, violence, and the risk of death.

I love sharing my faith and witnessing. It’s what brings me the most JOY. If it meant I would be threatened with death and my family would be tortured in front of my eyes, then I don’t know how this would change my outlook. Would I still find joy in sharing the Gospel? James says, “Consider it a great JOY, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 HCSB

I think persecuted Christians take courage in verses like these and the ones we have in Romans chapter 8. Look at verse 32, “He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?”

They risk losing their jobs, homes, families, and their lives because they know their Father God will graciously give them all things. They refuse to listen to Satan’s lies that tell them to give in and renounce Jesus. They remember Jesus was offered up for them and that the Father didn’t hold back from sending His own son to the slaughter. Holding onto this truth is where their JOY comes from. Even through the most painful of experiences.

When our brothers and sisters are persecuted for their Christian witness in countries like Iran, Nigeria and India, we can let them know they are cared for and loved by the global body of Christ. November 1st is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Take time to remember them in prayer. www.persecution.com/response

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39  (day four)

“Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” V. 34

For those in Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study, this verse should feel familiar. Hebrews 1 also tells where Jesus is – at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus doesn’t simply disappear off the scene once he ascends to heaven. After his life of intimate connection with people on earth, he doesn’t suddenly become distant or removed. He sends his very Spirit to live inside of us; and he is also currently, as we speak, sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us. Though we don’t physically see him with us as the disciples did, he’s very much still actively engaged with his people.

Romans chapter 8 is filled with language of intimacy: we’re invited to call God “Abba, Father.” The Spirit works in our very being to free us from bondage, and we become inseparable from God’s love. Just as intimately, our Savior sits at the right hand of that God of love, interceding for us. Viewing Jesus in this way has always struck a chord with me, especially when God feels far off. We don’t serve a distant God, but one who is constantly in intimate connection with us, even when we’re not aware of it.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39  (day three)

³⁹ nor 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.

These verses in Romans 8 are a calling and reminder for us to be bold in our faith and in sharing the gospel. Paul’s words rang true then to those that would hear them and die for their faith, and they still ring true for us today. There is nothing that can stand in the way of God’s love for us. We may suffer or die on this side of glory, but there is nothing that can affect the other side where we get to see our Creator.

Paul’s words remind us that God is faithful in His promises and that He will do what He promised long ago. When we become believers and belong to Him, there is no condemnation for us (8:1) and no separation (8:38-39) for us. This should embolden us to get up and go out to do whatever it takes to proclaim His name to the nations! If nothing can separate us, then why should we worry? If nothing can stand in the way of His love and promises, then why should we fear or question what He is doing? These verses are freedom for us to live boldly for Him, holding nothing back.

I have felt convicted by this study in Romans, and I pray that you have been, too. May you be emboldened and encouraged to go and share today. The Lord, strong and mighty, is with you and nothing can separate you from His love!

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:31-39 (day two)

 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. vv. 38-39

Ok, once more for the kid in the back…NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. Read it again, and again, and again. Do you struggle with this truth? Perhaps you feel as though there is a limit to God’s patience. Maybe you feel such guilt, shame, or fear which limits your understanding of God’s compassion. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Paul is writing this to an audience that needed to hear this reassurance. If these words are written in scripture, you can bet it is because they needed to be heard, and still need to be heard. We struggle against this never-ending love because we don’t have that capacity in our own hearts, and we are being convinced that God uses the same yardstick as we do. That is a lie straight from the deceiver. God’s ways are not your ways. He does not measure as we measure. Look at that list that Paul gives us in this passage. There are some pretty weighty forces, but none are stronger than the love of God. Take a deep breath, and let the love of your eternal father bring you peace.