Definite Prayer for Specific Things by William Covert

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 6, 1916

Definite Prayer for Specific Things

By William Covert

WILLIAM COVERT

PAUL wanted a prayer fellowship with his brethren,—prayer definitely offered, embracing specified things. His trained hands and warm heart opened up before him a world of work. And his quickened conscience made him anxious to do all things in the very best way. Out of these desires were born these words: “I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Rom. 15:30. They were to pray “that I [Paul] may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints: that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed.” Verses 31, 32.

He thought, if many prayers together went to the throne of God, that for Jesus’ sake and the love of the Spirit, the united requests would be granted. He had been sorely tried in having to meet the unbelieving people of Judea, and so he wanted the whole prayer power of the church at Rome to join with his prayer strivings to meet that disobedient spirit. It was necessary that the spirit of infidelity be restrained in order for the apostle effectively to perform the ministry that had been assigned him for the needy saints in Jerusalem.

This service before him required a wise and tender heart on his part, and a gentle spirit of gratitude on the part of those who were to be recipients of benefits bestowed. Paul had some questioning in his mind as to how the unbelieving Jews would conduct themselves toward him when he should enter Jerusalem with contributions from the Christians of Macedonia and Achaia, to bestow on the poor Judean Christians. His anxiety was that all might be done in such a tender manner as to make each one concerned feel glad. He thought if he could perform this missionary service in the beauty of holiness, he could carry that refreshing with him all the way from Jerusalem to Rome.

How the heart of the apostle must have yearned and pleaded with the Lord, and with those who were in sympathy with him, concerning help for the suffering saints! It will not be out of place for us now to join in earnest pleading with the Lord in behalf of those who are today in need of help. May a spirit of intercession come upon all our people in behalf of the vast missionary work of carrying present truth to a needy world.