Romans Chapter 1 Vs. 9

Longing to Go to Rome

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; Rom 1:9

with my spirit... I serve God with my spirit and soul, as well as with my body (1Cor. 6:19-20).

We see here that Paul prays intercessory prayers for these new Christians in Rome. Notice in the verse above that Paul does not serve the Lord in his flesh, but in his spirit. I believe that Paul is saying (only God and myself), know the hours that I have spent praying for you.

Establishing rapport

Paul made a practice of beginning his letters with a word of thanks to God, a specific prayer, and a personal message to the recipients. For the Romans he rejoiced that news of their faith had spread all over the world, a hyperbole meaning throughout the Roman Empire.