Romans 9
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel.
You can see Paul’s heart here as he is in anguish over his nation’s reaction to the love and grace of God. If we want to see our nation transform, we need to have a pastoral heart and feel the heart of God for the people. We need to have a genuine burden for the people who don’t know Christ.
Paul was in anguish because he knew what the people who don’t have Christ are missing out: – the adoption to sonship, the glory of God, the covenant of God, the law of God, the worship of God and the promises of God.
Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised![a] Amen.
Lord I pray that you give me the same heart like Paul’s who had the burden to pray for his city and his nation. Use me to preach and disciple my friends.