Fighting Prayers

Do you know how many words are used only once in the entire Bible?  I don't, but wish I did.  Maybe some of you, my readers, can enlighten me on that point.  I ran across one yesterday that, according to Strong's concordance1 , appears only once.

We find this word/phrase in Romans 15:30. Here's the verse, in two translations:

I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf,  (ESV)

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to join fervently with me in prayer to God on my behalf. (NET)

The Greek word for "strive together with" is  συναγωνίσασθαί .  (Just look at that beautiful word!) If you want to see a more anglicized version, here you go: sunagónizomai.
It literally is used in Romans 15:30 and nowhere else in scripture.


Now, what does it signify?   From HELPS-WORD studies:

4865 synagōnízomai (from 4862 /sýn, "identified with" and 75 /agōnízomai, "agonize, strive") – properly, fight (agonize) together; "to strive together with, to help (properly, 'sharing in a contest')" (A-S).

Paul uses this intense word in a context of spiritual warfare, specifically with the weapon of prayer. He is asking this healthy group of believers, the Roman church, to fight alongside him in prayer. He was apparently so burdened over this prayer need that he used an uncommon word to express his degree of concern and emphasis.  Look at the larger context from The Message:

30-33 I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father, through the power of our Master Jesus, through the love of the Spirit—that I will be delivered from the lions’ den of unbelievers in Judea. Pray also that my relief offering to the Jerusalem believers will be accepted in the spirit in which it is given. Then, God willing, I’ll be on my way to you with a light and eager heart, looking forward to being refreshed by your company.

You see, Paul knew that he had a tough road ahead.  Let's review where he was and his upcoming itinerary.2

Paul wrote to the Roman church when he was living and ministering in Corinth, during his 3rd missionary journey, in the winter of 57-58.A.D.  Leaving there, he journeyed through Asia Minor before ending this 3rd journey in Jerusalem.  There, he preached to the Jews, but was beaten by them and imprisoned.  Their goal was to have him put to death.  He remained in prison for two years, and then (as a Roman citizen) asked that his case be heard by Caesar.  He was subsequently put on a ship, bound for Rome.  He made it to Rome, but not via the path he necessarily desired.

God is sovereign, but I have no doubt those fighting prayers of the Roman church were instrumental in sparing Paul's life during the two years he was in the Judean prison.

There are times in all our lives when we need for our brothers and sisters in the faith to fight with us in prayer.  Most of the time, most of us leave this powerful weapon to lie dusty on the shelf.  We flounder around and try every other approach to a problem, only to find our solutions inadequate or ineffective.  Paul was so wise!  He knew that the fervent prayers of God's people would matter, and not only matter, but do miraculous things in the spiritual realm.

Satan wants us to be shy about asking our fellow Christians to pray (to intercede) for us, because he recognizes the power of fighting prayers, even when we don't.

Let's believe the word of our God, People, and flabbergast the Devil!

The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.  

James 5:16  (The MSG)

Let's get to it!  Goodness knows....there's much to pray about these days...

Father, may we not be deceived by the enemy.  May we pray together strenuously, regularly, freely and joyfully!  In Jesus' name, amen.

Sources:

1  http://biblehub.com/greek/4865.htm

2  http://www.matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html