Paul's Praise for the Romans
Romans 1:8 (NKJV)
"  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. "
In his usual manner, Paul begins this part with thanksgiving. Paul expressed a spirit of gratitude. I have often emphasized to you to have an "attitude of gratitude." Practice every day, thanking the Lord. Thank Him for another day, a good night's sleep, for such a great salvation, you can go on. Give thanks with a grateful heart.

Romans 1:8 (NKJV)
 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
What did Paul thank God for in relation to the Romans? It was their faith. Their daily walk with Christ. They had a reputation of a true faith-walking church. In addition to their beautiful buildings, the preaching, their status in the community, their outstanding music, how many churches today are known for their faith. People say, those people truly walk with God?

Romans 1:11 (NKJV) "  For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established--"
Why was Paul so anxious to get to Rome. He was not a cold-hearted, goal-oriented, results happy leader. His heart yearned for the fellowship and the face-to-face relationship with those for whom he prayed. He wanted to be with them. He first desired to share with them. He wanted to share Jesus and all that he knew and learned of Jesus and about Jesus.

God is driving me to Romans again. I tried some years ago to go through it with the church but God prevented me when I got to the 3rd chapter. In 1976 when we were in Costa Rica I was going through a crisis of faith. A lot of doubting my call , even my faith. God then led me into the book of Romans and I outlined the entire book. I wish I knew where that outline was today. But God is doing another work in my heart and bringing to this wonderful book. Here is some illustrations:
John Chrysostom, a 4th century patriarch of Constantinople had the epistle read to him once a week.
Martin Luther, spoke of Romans as the chief book of the NT. It was Romans 1:17 that Luther discovered what became the heart cry of the Reformation, “The just(righteous) shall live by faith.”
Princeton scholar Prof. Bruce Metzer has called Romans the “ Constitution of Universal Christianity.”
Let's get started.

Romans 1:9 (NKJV)  "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, "
Paul's prayers for these people were: Intense, Intimate, Incessant, Intercessory,
The content of all of Paul's prayers was spiritual. He prayed for individual believers and he prayed  for groups of believers. He prayed that hearts would be knit with the heart of God, that the knowledge of God's Word would be made complete, and that their obedience to God's will would be made perfect.
How do you pray for others?