Paul’s Thankful Prayer

Romans 1:10-12 – Longing for Fellowship & Mutual Encouragement

Paul’s letter to the Romans begins with a bold salutation and a deep dive into the gospel. In verses 8–12, we see him pivot into the heart of his letter. Here, Paul expresses his thoughts about the Roman Christians—believers he has never met but deeply appreciates.

It’s worth pausing to consider how remarkable this is. Paul hasn’t visited Rome, yet he writes to them as if he knows them personally. Why? Because of their shared faith in Christ. Paul’s longing for the Romans is expressed in two ways: through his prayers and his desire to see them in person. Today, we’ll look at the first of those two—Paul’s prayerful praise for the Roman church.

Paul’s Thankful Prayer

Paul opens this section with thanksgiving: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world” (Romans 1:8).

What a way to start! Paul thanks God for their faith and the reputation it has gained. It’s worth noting that Paul’s world wasn’t like ours. There were no emails, no text messages, no phones—not even newspapers. Yet, the faith of the Roman Christians was well-known. The gospel, which began in Jerusalem, had spread far enough that the faith of believers in Rome was being talked about across the Empire.

What exactly had Paul heard? The details are unclear, but it’s evident that enough believers in Rome had embraced the gospel to make their faith known beyond their city. Paul marvels at this. It is evidence of God’s grace at work in their lives, and Paul’s response is to give thanks.

Notice the personal nature of Paul’s gratitude. He writes, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you.” Paul’s thanksgiving is both personal and specific. Though he hasn’t met them, he is thankful for all the believers in Rome. This isn’t a generic acknowledgment. It’s a heartfelt expression of joy and gratitude for what God has done among them.

Unity in Christ

Paul’s prayerful thanksgiving underscores a profound truth about Christian unity. Although Paul and the Roman Christians were separated by miles and had never met, they were united in Christ. This unity transcends geography, culture, and personal connection.

Our own lives reflect this same unity. Think about how your heart is stirred when you hear about the faithfulness of another church or another group of believers. Maybe it’s a church in another city or even on the other side of the world. When you hear about their faith or their ministry, doesn’t it fill you with joy?

Paul demonstrates how we, too, can express gratitude for other believers, even those we don’t know personally. Our union with Christ connects us to brothers and sisters across the globe, and it should prompt us to thank God for the work He’s doing in and through them.

Grace Leads to Praise

Paul’s gratitude also highlights an essential truth about faith: it is a gift from God. Paul doesn’t congratulate the Romans on their faith or pat them on the back for their hard work. Instead, he thanks God. Why? Because their faith is the work of God.

Philippians 1:29 reminds us: “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”

Even our belief is a gift of grace. Every spiritual blessing we enjoy—our faith, our salvation, our sanctification—is the result of God’s work in us. That’s why Paul’s thanksgiving is directed to God.

John Murray puts it beautifully: “The faith of the saints is evidence of God’s grace, and the first reaction must therefore be thanksgiving to God.”

Grace leads to praise. When we see God’s work in others—or in ourselves—our first response should be to praise Him. That’s what Paul models for us here. He thanks God for the Romans’ faith because he knows that faith is evidence of God’s grace.

A Call to Prayer

Paul’s example also challenges us to consider our own prayers. He didn’t just thank God for the Romans once and move on. He prayed for them continually. In verse 9, he writes: “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.”

Paul prayed for people he had never met. How often do we do the same?

We may not be able to pray for every church or every believer in the world—that would be impossible—but we can follow Paul’s example by praying for those who come to mind. When we hear about the faithfulness of another church or the ministry of another believer, let’s take it as an opportunity to give thanks to God and pray for them.

This is especially true for those in our own congregation. Paul’s prayers for the Romans remind us of the importance of praying for one another, not just in times of crisis but regularly and consistently.

Squashing Pride and Cultivating Humility

Finally, Paul’s gratitude reminds us to stay humble. How often do we forget that every good thing in us is a gift from God? We’re tempted to take credit for our faith or our obedience. Sometimes, we even approach prayer with pride, thinking about how our words might impress others.

Paul’s example calls us to humility. He knew that all the good in him—and in the Roman Christians—came from God. It’s a humbling reminder that we are recipients of grace, not creators of it.

Conclusion

Paul’s prayerful praise for the Romans is a powerful example of how grace leads to praise. When we see God’s work in others, our first response should be to thank Him.

Let’s follow Paul’s example. Take time to thank God for the faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for those who come to mind, whether they’re in your church, your community, or across the world. And as you pray, remember that all the good in us—and in them—is a gift of God’s grace.

Who can you pray for today? How can you thank God for the work He’s doing in the lives of others?