This is not a book review. Before you go any further I would encourage you to read Romans 8. The focus of this blog will specifically be on Romans 8:22-27. Reading the chapter will provide you with the context for the passage noted above. Into the Heart of Romans is an in depth look at that single chapter of the Bible. I do recommend the book. It has started me thinking about several things and the most significant one is this: suffering prayer is the Christian’s vocation. Note the author’s comment below:
Paul is talking about our vocation not just to get through difficult times but to stand in prayer where the world is in pain so that God’s own spirit may be present, and intercede, right there. – Into the Heart of Romans by N.T. Wright
I think the author is saying that I choose to enter into community not for my own pleasure, but to be close enough to others to experience the pain they are experiencing. It is at that point that I can really begin to pray. Rather than doing all I can to avoid having my heart broken I choose to be with others in a way that makes it is almost inevitable that my own heart will be broken as theirs is. Paul repeats this idea later in his letter to the Romans:
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (Romans 12:15 NIV)
This is what Jesus did. He came to earth and lived in a human body so we would know that He has experienced the pain we experience. He felt the emotional pain of betrayal, both by Judas and Peter. He felt the physical pain of the crucifixion, which is difficult to comprehend. Finally, He felt the pain of separation from the Father. The cost of my salvation is beyond my comprehension.
I know this is not the way I pray for those who are struggling with sin. I pray for them as if they need to be fixed, which I think they do. The kind of prayer that Paul is talking about enters into the pain of being driven by desires that are at conflict with what God desires. This is a very painful place to be.
The kind of prayer Paul describes is prayer that happens at a gut level. I have experienced it a few times. I had reached the end of my rope and had no clue what to do. I kneel often to pray, but this time I was flat on my face on the ground. There were no words because it was not my thoughts that were needed. Instead, there was groaning and tears. Having experienced this it is hard to comprehend that this is the life of prayer that God calls me to. Yet, this is the kind of prayer God promises to bless with the presence of His Spirit which is what we always need.
Heart prayer, not just head prayer.
I’m glad to have your blog to read again. I usually work hard and not getting emotional but from this chapter I would think it’s my job to get emotional about the injustice and sin in the world.
You provide a very good discussion about the kind of stance, attitude and emotional investment we should have in our intercessory prayers. I cannot remember the last time I shed tears for brothers in sin… This blog was convicting.