"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO PRAY FOR"
2nd Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,”
2nd Thessalonians 3:2 “and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”
2nd Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
2nd Thessalonians 3:4 “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.”
2nd Thessalonians 3:5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/15/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
These verses come at the end of this short 3 chapter letter to this congregation in Thessalonica. The letter dealt primarily with Paul trying to protect the church against false teaching regarding the last days, leading to the 2nd coming of Christ. And, with some other problems that had arisen in the church by members who had stopped working since they believed Jesus could come at any moment, and now were in need of financial aid, and had thus become a burden to the body there. But these verses today, are of a more personal note, requesting prayer and that the gospel would be advanced. Also, a clear and sobering truth about some men. And a promise of what God will do in the hearts of His people. May this encourage you, build you up, equip you and bless your walk with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
1. We can pray for God's Word to run swiftly and be glorified.
2nd Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,”
God has a message that He has committed to us to preach and teach.
Through prayer we can help God's Word to spread rapidly as it should.
Specifically we can pray for those who minister the Word of God in this respect.
God's Word deserves to be honored, and we pray that it will be by those who preach it and hear it.
2. We can pray for those who minister the Word to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.
2nd Thessalonians 3:2 “and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”
Here is something else to pray for regarding the Word of God.
That those who preach it and teach it will be saved from wicked and evil people.
The reason for this prayer, is that not everyone believes in the Lord.
There are many, many adversaries against the Word of God.
Prayer is a weapon God has given us to help further the progress of His Word in this needy world.
3. We have a promise from God who is faithful to establish His children and guard them from the evil one.
2nd Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”
On another note.
God is faithful, or dependable.
He will do just as He has promised to do.
He will make His people strong.
He will guard them from the evil one.
Being kept from the evil one is something Jesus encouraged us to pray for.
We are living in a spiritual battle zone.
The world is filled with "spiritual terrorists" who are bent on the destruction of God's Work in Christ.
4. We can have confidence in the Lord to do in us what He calls us to do.
2nd Thessalonians 3:4 “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.”
What a blessing to have confidence in the Lord as Paul did.
We can have that same confidence, because of God's faithfulness and power.
We ought to hope and pray for one another that we are not just hearers but doers of the Word.
And that we would be careful to maintain good works, and finish our course with joy.
5. We can pray for God to direct our hearts into His love, and into the patience of Christ.
2nd Thessalonians 3:5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”
A final thing to pray for in our own lives personally.
That the Lord would bring us into an even deeper understanding of the love of God.
Also, that we would be brought into the endurance that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is able to direct His children into both of these things.
God's love and God's patience of endurance of great blessings to have.
Some Questions:
1. Do you know that God hears Your prayers?
2. Do you know that God will honor your prayers for His will?
3. Do you know that someone most likely prayed for you that you would hear God's Word and be saved by it?
4. Do you know that there are real unreasonable and wicked persons who are enemies of the Gospel and God's Servants?
5. Do you need God's love and patience in your life at this time?
A Prayer:
Father, what a blessing that You have left us with the written Word of God as food for our souls. Thank You for the power of Your Word and that You worked to enable it to reach our lives personally. We pray for those in our body who teach and preach Your Word that You would help them to be courageous and faithful as Your called ministers. Deliver them, we pray, from the wicked and evil enemies of the Gospel. We also thank You, Lord, for being so faithful to accomplish Your work in our lives. We want to cooperate with You, and be in Your will, and bring glory to Your most wonderful name. Your name is above every name. Direct us, Lord, into Your love and patience.
These two blessings are tremendous companions to have in our pilgrim journey to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
