Romans 1:1-17.   Paul’s desire to go to Rome emerged from his sense of purpose.  He knew the gospel of Jesus Christ, and felt obligated to share it with people like himself: Jews (to whom the gospel first came) and with everybody else as well.  It was that inner obligation that compelled Paul to put Rome on his travel list.  He not only prayed for those foreigners, but he prayed that God would allow him to reach them with the gospel.  He had a confidence in the gospel that he preached – a belief that it could change the lives of those who heard it.

LORD, give us that confidence.  Use your words in this book to inspire us to reach out to the lost around us, bringing them the message that will set them free from their bondage and bring them back to you.