“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’ But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the deep?”’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,’ that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

— Romans 10:1-13, NIV

A Prayer for Zealous Faith

Dear Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for inviting us to come boldly in prayer and confession, knowing that if we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. Father, I am zealous for You, but I humbly seek deeper knowledge and faith in Jesus, the Word of God, to guide my zeal rightly. Jesus Christ is the culmination of all knowledge, and it is in Him that we are justified. It doesn’t matter if we are Jew or Gentile—what matters is what we believe and confess. Thank You for Your promise that when we do, we will be saved and blessed. — Amen

Choosing Zeal for 2025

Each year, I prayerfully choose a word to guide my spiritual journey, a single focus to anchor my walk with God. For 2025, that word is zealous—a call to pursue God with passion, purpose, and unwavering devotion. This word resonates deeply with me, and it was made even more special when my daughter gifted me a beautiful engraved bracelet for Mother’s Day, with ZEALOUS boldly displayed front and center. Every time I glance at it, I’m reminded to live out my faith with fervor, but also with wisdom and humility, ensuring my zeal is rooted in the truth of Christ.

The Israelites’ Zeal and God’s Righteousness

In Romans 10:1-13, the Apostle Paul speaks of the Israelites’ zeal for God, a passion that burned brightly but lacked the foundation of true knowledge. They sought to establish their own righteousness, missing the transformative truth that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s words are a sobering reminder: zeal, no matter how intense, must be grounded in the knowledge of God’s Word and the saving grace of Jesus. Without this foundation, our passion can lead us astray, chasing our own efforts rather than submitting to God’s perfect plan.

This passage also brings incredible hope. Paul declares that “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). This truth levels the playing field—Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, young or old—salvation is available to all who call on the name of the Lord. It’s not about striving to climb into heaven or plumbing the depths to earn God’s favor. The Word is near us, in our mouths and hearts, ready to be confessed and believed. What a gift! Salvation is not a distant goal but a present reality for those who trust in Jesus.

Stirred by Zealous Worship

As I reflect on this, I’m reminded of Paul Wilbur’s powerful song, Zealous Over Zion. The lyrics echo God’s heart: “I am zealous over Zion, I am zealous for My own.” This song stirs my soul, calling me to pray for Jerusalem, God’s chosen people, and to channel my zeal into worship and intercession. It’s a reminder that our passion for God should overflow into love for His people, His purposes, and His kingdom. Just as Paul prayed fervently for the salvation of the Israelites, we are called to intercede for those who have yet to know the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ.

For me, being zealous in 2025 means more than just enthusiasm—it means pursuing God with intention, seeking deeper knowledge of His Word, and aligning my heart with His will. It’s about letting my faith shape my actions, whether in prayer, service, or sharing the Gospel. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” This is the heart of our faith—a belief that transforms the heart and a confession that changes the world.

Living a Zealous Faith

So, how do we live out a zealous faith that is rooted in knowledge? First, we immerse ourselves in Scripture, letting God’s Word shape our understanding and guide our steps. Second, we pray boldly, as Paul did, for those who need to encounter Jesus. Third, we share our faith with others, declaring with our mouths what we believe in our hearts. And finally, we worship with passion, letting songs like Zealous Over Zion inspire us to love God’s people and His plan for redemption.

As we step into 2025, I encourage you to consider what it means to be zealous for God. Perhaps you, too, can choose a word to guide your year—a word that draws you closer to Him. Let’s commit to pursuing God with hearts full of faith, grounded in the knowledge of His Son, and overflowing with love for His kingdom. May our zeal be a light that points others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, who richly blesses all who call on Him.

A Call to Reflect and Pray

Reflection Questions:

1. How can you ensure your zeal for God is rooted in the knowledge of His Word?

2. Who in your life needs your prayers for salvation, as Paul prayed for the Israelites?

3. What practical steps can you take to profess your faith boldly?

Prayer Prompt: Spend a moment in prayer, asking God to guide your zeal with wisdom and to open doors for you to share the message of salvation with others. Pray for Jerusalem and for those who have yet to know Christ, that they may call on His name and be saved.

A Zealous Heart Grounded in Christ