The Apostle Paul, a zealous Jewish scholar and “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Phil. 3:5), wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Gentile)”  (Romans 1:16 ASV)

Why would Paul mention shame in relation to the Gospel?  Why does he say he is not ashamed?  How does his declaration affect you?

Before we consider these questions,  let’s look at Paul’s understanding of the Gospel:  He believed that man’s righteousness, no matter how great, is insufficient in God’s sight. “For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Messiah is the end (fulfillment) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”  (Rom. 10:3,4)

Paul makes clear that Messiah’s atonement, alone, provided the righteousness that God requires us to have in order to have access to Him and eternal life.

Then Paul clarified WHAT we must believe to be saved:

…Messiah* died for our sins according to the (Hebrew) Scriptures,
and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the (Hebrew) Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve (apostles).
After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time…to James, then to all the apostles;
and last of all…He appeared to me (Paul) also.” (1 Cor. 15:3b-8)

Paul taught us HOW TO RECEIVE this gift of salvation:

“…that if you confess with your mouth Yeshua as Lord,
and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness,
and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all,
abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” (Rom. 10:9-13)

(Please note the verses capitalized are quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures:  Isaiah 28:16 and Joel 2:32)

Paul knew that to believe that righteousness is imputed to our personal “account”, by faith rather than works, would certainly challenge Pharisaic Judaism–the predominant religious Jewish thinking of his day.

He knew that the Gospel, and how to obtain right standing before God, also challenges the heart of every human being today.

Over the past thirty five years that I have known Messiah and studied the Holy Scriptures, I have talked to at least a thousand people, one on one, about the Gospel.

I was not “experimenting”, but I have had a large enough “sample size” to draw some relevant conclusions.

In dialoging with the highly sophisticated and intellectual, famous people and the wealthy, the poor and uneducated, Jews and non-Jews, atheists, agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists, New Age, and those with eclectic beliefs, Americans and those from other lands …after a while I saw that people’s objections to the Gospel fit into basically two categories.

People from all walks of life either stated they have not sinned, and therefore have no need for a “savior”; or, they feel their lives and deeds are sufficient to merit favor with “God”, or a “god of their own choosing”.  Therefore they also have no need for a “savior”.  They had their own “righteousness” and did not need God’s!

It did not matter if they acknowledged God, or the Bible as God’s authoritative word, or were atheists.  Their self evaluations fell into those two categories. They were OK.

Of course, sometimes there was a humble person who knew they had no reason to boast in their own self-sufficiency or righteousness.  By the way, there were rich people who were humble, and poor that were prideful.  Sin does not fit easy categories.

Sometimes, in conversation, people put God on the witness stand for “His record” in dealing in human history, and deflecting the scrutiny away from their own lives and consciences.

In one instance I remember speaking with a man who told me he owned four homes.  He shared how his heart and life emphasized philanthropy.  Here was a good guy.  He was Catholic.  When I explained that even his Bible teaches that righteousness is through faith, and not works, and that his eternal destiny depended on faith in what the Word of God said, versus what his friend the priest said, he replied:  “I’m choosing what my priest says.”

The human spirit is rife with pride.  The Gospel of salvation, by faith in the finished work of Messiah Yeshua, cuts into that pride.  It’s humbling to say, “Your way, LORD, not mine.”  He declared that Way was Yeshua. (John 14:6)  He does not invite us to debate on this.

Many think the Gospel is simply foolish, naive thinking.

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 1 dovetail here:

“For the word of the cross (the Gospel) is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”
(He quoted Job 12:17 & Isaiah 19:11; 33:18)

Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God,
God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks (Gentiles) search for wisdom;
but we preach Messiah crucified (the atonement for our sins),
to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,
but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

He goes on, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise,
and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen,
the things that are not,
so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” (1 Cor. 1:18-25, 27-29)

So why does Paul say he is not ashamed of the Gospel?

Because the message of the Gospel is foolishness to the non-believer. It is so “unsophisticated”, so non-demanding in terms of works, and so exhortative, and in fact, narrow– that those who believe, and want to communicate the truth, could feel ashamed at the simplicity, apparent foolishness, and yet boldness of the message.

Though the Gospel is simple, it was no small thing for Messiah Yeshua to “bear our sins in His body on the tree.”

Let us also not forget that, statistically speaking, the fulfillment of the prophecies by Yeshua of Nazareth–prophecies about the birth, life, death and resurrection of Messiah, were interwoven in the Hebrew Scriptures by many men from different stations in life, over a period of more than a thousand years.

This was no simple matter.  It involved kings, and nations, and simple maidens; the dispersion of the Jewish people in 586 BC; the preservation of the Jewish people in Persia; the return to the Land of Israel after 70 years; different Gentile nations coming into power; and, the Romans ordering a census that brought the Jewish maiden, Miriam, (Mary) back to Bethlehem in fulfillment of Micah chapter 5 verse 2. (Messiah Yeshua was born in Bethlehem.)

Remember this simple message of the Gospel turned the world upside down in the first century and influenced Western culture for almost two thousand years.

When I believed this simple message in 1973, it brought to me light, hope and peace, as it has to countless millions all over the world.  It has changed the lives of addicts, social climbers, Holocaust survivors, the broken, the successful, the atheist, and the religious.  There is not a person in this world of whatever ethnic, religious, socioeconomic, or emotional state that cannot be transformed by the power of the Gospel.

Two emotional states have been mentioned in this post:  Shame and Pride (boasting).

There will be no human boasting at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) when those who have not received the free gift of God (i.e., the righteousness of God and eternal life by faith) will have their “works” evaluated– literally judged by Him who sits on the throne.  Unfortunately, it will be a devastating experience for those who have trusted in themselves, or someone, or something other than the finished work of Messiah Yeshua; for as Paul forewarned:

“Now we know that whatever the Law says,
it speaks to those who are under the Law,
so that EVERY MOUTH MAY BE CLOSED
AND ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME ACCOUNTABLE TO GOD;
because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;
for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested,
being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
even the righteousness of God through faith in Yeshua the Messiah for all those who believe;
for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom. 3:19-23)

Pride and boasting of self-righteousness will be out of the question.  Every mouth will be shut.  Only faith in the finished work of Messiah Yeshua, His substitutionary death on the tree, will rescue, free, pardon, save and absolve us from the penalty of our own sin.

That same Paul, a scholar with impressive lineage, said, “If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day (Jewish), of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church (he persecuted Jews who believed Yeshua was the Messiah); as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Messiah.  More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Messiah Yeshua* my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Messiah*, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Messiah, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…” (Phil. 3:4-9)

It couldn’t be more clear. Righteousness is by faith.

Paul, a sophisticated Jewish thinker, communicating, at times, to sophisticated audiences in the Greek world of philosophical thinking, was not ashamed to tell men and women that what would free their souls from sin, their minds from oppression, and give them a place in the Kingdom to come, was a simple, unsophisticated matter of humble faith.

Believer, are you afraid of appearing foolish before non-believers who are, or appear, more sophisticated in knowledge, speech, education, dress and/or lifestyle than yourself?  Or are you walking “in the fear (reverence) of the Lord” and worrying what He thinks about, and knows to be, the other person’s eternal destiny?

Seeker, why would a God who knows and loves you want to make it difficult to find your way Home?

Our Heavenly Father wants you in His house, as it is written,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (The Messiah), that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world (and its false sophistication); but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16,17 KJV)

I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.

*  I have taken the liberty to use the Hebrew name of Yeshua the Messiah wherever the Anglicized Jesus Christ appears throughout this post. Also, as usual, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible except where otherwise indicated.

1 John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us:  And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.  When we pray the Scriptures we are praying wisely, because we are praying His will!

The context of the Gospel is Jewish (“Salvation is of the Jews”, said Yeshua–John 4:22) and the Scriptures are replete with verses revealing how to pray for Israel with the Father’s heart. We must ask Yahveh (The LORD) to reveal His love for the Jewish people and His burden for them (He says in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you (Israel) with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you.”)

The Jewish people are a brokenhearted people and if we intercede for them it must be with a humble and tender heart.  Then we know we are praying in accordance with the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh).

When we pray for Israel, we are praying not only for the country in the Middle East, but for all Jews everywhere in the dispersion (Diaspora).

Here is a sample prayer to guide you in your praying.  Prayer for Israel is a very important ministry in which Yahveh, the Holy One of Israel, wants to engage us in these last days:

“Abba (Father), in the Name of Yeshua, I thank You for preserving the Jewish people.  Truly this reveals Your faithfulness to keep Your Word and Your covenants.  Thank You that the only time Israel will cease from being a nation is when the fixed ordinances (sun, moon and stars) depart from before You (Jeremiah 31:35-36)  Thank You that no weapon formed against Israel shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17).  Israel has faced many enemies over the centuries.  I understand Satan has wanted to destroy Israel because she is the apple of Your eye (Zechariah 2:8) and because Messiah will return when Israel’s eyes are opened and they call upon His name (Zechariah 12:10).

Thank You for Michael the Archangel that You have assigned to protect Israel (Daniel 10:13).  O Yahveh of Hosts (hosts = armies in Biblical Hebrew), please station angels about her borders and the people.  Thank you that You who keep (guard) Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4).

Abba, as the prophets of old, we confess our sins and the sins of our fathers, particularly where Christians have participated in the sin of anti-Semitism, failing to show the love and patience of Your Son to the Jewish people.  These scars formed in history have wounded and confused Your chosen people.  Cleanse us from this sin which breaks Your heart.  Your Word says they are beloved and their gifts and calling as a nation are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).  I ask You to convict church leaders and teachers who have taught that You are finished with Israel.  Please forgive them and open their eyes.  Like the Apostle Paul, let them say, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.” (Romans 10:1).  May I extend mercy to the Jewish people even as Your Word commands in Romans chapter 11, verse 31 that “through my mercy they may also obtain mercy.”

Thank You that only a partial hardening has happened to Israel (Romans 11:25).  Thank You for the remnant (Romans 11:5) that has believed and for those who will come to faith.

I do not beg You for the salvation of the Jewish people, for Messiah Yeshua already died for them (1 John 2:2).  Rather, I wrestle them out of the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13) with the weapons of our warfare which are not carnal but mighty through You to the pulling down of strongholds (II Corinthians 10:3-5).  I cast down the thought patterns of unbelief, fear and  father-rejection.  I take captive these thoughts and all confusion to the obedience of the Messiah (II Cor. 10:5).  As Your Word says, ” …Yahveh (The LORD) rebuke thee…”.  (Zechariah 3:2 KJV)

Father, Your Word says that “… to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away (2 Corinthians 3:15-16 NASB)”  Thank You that You are able to take the veil away and please do so for (personalize with the Jewish person, or people, you know).  I pray for religious Jewish people – the Orthodox and Hasidic Jews. In the Name of the Lord Yeshua, I come against the spirits of deception that would tell them that religion will save them.  Reveal to them, Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), that it is only by the blood atonement of the Messiah Yeshua that they are saved.  Have mercy on them O, God, Who delights in mercy (Jeremiah 9:24).

I pray today for the approximately 300,000 Jewish people in the former Soviet Union who have not yet left in fulfillment of prophecy (Jeremiah 23:3,7,8).  Protect them from the growing violence against them because they are Jews.  I thank you for delivering approximately 90% of the Jewish people out of the former Soviet Union in faithful fulfillment of Your prophetic Word.   I thank You for the many Russian believers who are now in Israel.  Strengthen them and give them grace in adjusting to their new home.

I pray for the Jewish people of Europe and Latin America who know they need to leave their countries because of growing anti-Semitism and return to Israel.  Please make a way–let every mountain of hindrance be removed so they can depart speedily. I pray for provision and the way of escape to be made clear to them.

I pray for Your Body of believers in Israel– for protection, growth, unity, boldness and provision.  Protect them, dear Lord.

I pray for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – for a hedge of protection, wisdom and courage, as the Gentile nations pressure him to return land that You promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their descendants forever (Genesis12:7; 15:18; 17:8)  Thwart and confuse all plots and plotters against the Jewish people (Psalm 83, Psalm 124, Psalm 129:5).  Bring her enemies to repentance (Matthew 5:44).  Let them henceforth use their energies to build Your kingdom and to comfort Israel. (Isaiah 40:1)

I pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).  Thank You for prospering my life because I love her (Psalm 122:6)  Speak to my mind the ways You want me to reach out to Your people.  Make me a comfort to Your people (Isaiah 40).

I particularly pray for Holocaust survivors who need a revelation of Your personal love after experiencing such devastation.  Holy One of Israel, naturally, I don’t desire to feel the brokenness that the pogroms of Russia or the Holocaust have caused.  I am willing to receive the prayer burdens of Your heart for the Jewish people.  I am willing to stand as a watchman for the nation of Israel (Isaiah 62).  I give You no rest until You make Jerusalem a praise on the earth (Isaiah 62).

I pray for more laborers in this end time harvest, particularly for those to labor among elderly Jewish people in South Florida, New York City, Los Angeles & Chicago.  I pray for those laborers to be wise, tender and kind, full of your Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).  I pray for divine appointments for them, that their steps would be directed to Jewish people searching for You, Your love, Your forgiveness, Your peace, Your touch, Your comfort. May they be anointed to speak your Word with power, conviction and the Ruach HaKodesh.  May they walk in humility and in the bond of peace with other laborers in the same part of the harvest.  May they be protected from all harm.  May their families be exceedingly blessed.

I pray Lord Yeshua for Your speedy return.  Soon may You hear the Jewish people say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.” (Psalm 118; Matthew 23:39). Maranatha, even so come, Messiah Yeshua!

I pray all these things on the authority of the blood atonement and in the name of Yeshua, the soon returning King of the Jews.

Copyright ©1996 Prophetic Prayers by Prophetic Prints.  If you wish to copy this prayer for free distribution, permission is hereby granted to duplicate it provided there are no changes or omissions made to this prayer and this byline is included.  Please note this prayer has a Spanish translation, as well.  Please email us through our contact form to receive a copy.