Request your free, three-month trial to Tabletalk magazine. You’ll receive the print issue monthly and gain immediate digital access to decades of archives. This trial is risk-free. No credit card required.
Try Tabletalk NowAlready receive Tabletalk magazine every month?
Verify your email address to gain unlimited access.
Acts 21:26–36
And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple (Acts 21:30a).
As we saw in yesterday’s study, Paul earnestly asks the Romans to pray diligently for him as he visits Jerusalem, specifically that he might be delivered from unbelievers there (Rom. 15:30–32). The book of Acts tells us how events unfolded when he reached Jerusalem. He was confronted in the temple by zealous Jews, who falsely accused him of teaching against their religion and of bringing Gentiles into the restricted area of the temple (Acts 21:27–29). A mob quickly gathered and, in their anger, determined to kill Paul, but the Roman military commander intervened to save his life (21:31–34). As events unfolded, Paul became a political pawn. After spending two years in Roman custody (Acts 24:27), he appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11–12) and so eventually came to Rome, though still a prisoner (Acts 28:16).
It appears that God answered the Romans’ prayers that Paul be delivered from the Jews, for the soldiers prevented them from harming him. And he did make it to Rome, though not as he had foreseen. However, it seems that their prayers did not prevent his long incarceration by the Romans and the ensuing disruption of his ministry plans. And so we wonder: Did the Romans’ prayers for Paul change the outcome in any way?
It often seems that God sometimes answers prayer and sometimes does not. Typically, we respond to unanswered prayer by reminding ourselves that God knows best. This is a true statement. The Bible does say that God is omniscient, that He knows the end from the beginning, and so He has an infallible grasp of what is best for us. Furthermore, the Bible also states that God is able to work all events together for our ultimate good, for He is sovereign, ordering all things so as to both bless us and enhance His glory. But grasping these great truths can lead to a certain fatalism about prayer. If God already knows what is best for us, and if He already has determined the course of events so that everything that happens to us is for our good, why should we bother to pray?
This is a serious question for Reformed Christians. Therefore, we will pause briefly from our studies in Romans to consider the Biblical reasons for prayer. Dr. R.C. Sproul’s audio teaching series titled Prayer will guide us in this brief study.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Do you sometimes wonder why you should take time to pray to a sovereign God? In tomorrow’s study, we will explore some of the reasons for practicing prayer. For now, spend some time today praying that God will use this series of studies to give you a greater understanding of prayer and a greater willingness to engage in it.
For Further Study
- Psalm 135:6
- Matthew 10:29–31
- Acts 15:18
- Ephesians 1:11