"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN PRAY FOR"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN PRAY FOR"

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

2nd Thessalonians 1:12 “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/13/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Members of the church in Thesalonica were experiencing some of the normal struggles and trials in life. They had gotten in touch with Paul, and he became aware of their situation. He wrote this second letter to address matters of importance in that fellowship.
These two verse are simply one of his prayers for them. But in reading these verses we can see what we can pray for in our own lives, and the lives of others. May You be blessed in Your own personal fellowship with God our Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. First of all we can actually pray and be heard.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

The Bible is very clear about this one most wonderful truth.
We can pray, or talk to God, and He will listen to us.
In fact, prayer is something he encourages us to do.
Prayer is something that helps us find God's will for our lives.

Prayer is indicative of a healthy relationship with God.
Prayer shows that we realize we cannot do life alone, we need God.
Prayer helps us to find strength, peace, courage, and grace.

2. We can pray to our generous and gracious Father.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

God is our Father.
God is more gracious than we know this side of heaven.
God takes pleasure in giving us His leadership.
God is just waiting as it were for us to say, "Lord help me today”.
God will do more than help you.
God will do many things, but He wants us to ask Him.

3. We can ask God to count us worthy of His calling in our lives.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

Here is a specific thing we can pray for.
This prayer means that our God would make us worthy of the life to which He has called us to.
To be worthy, means to walk in step with Him and His will for our lives.
That our lives would bring Him pleasure.
That our lives would be a bright witness to the world of what God is like.

4. We can ask God to fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

Here's something else to pray for.
We can pray that God, by His power, will do all that He intends to do in our lives.
And we can pray that we will have good intentions
We can also pray that we will be faithful to walk in the good works He has prepared for us.

5. We can ask God that the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified in our lives according to the grace of God.

2nd Thessalonians 1:12 “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here's another specific request.
That name of Christ may be glorified in our lives day by day.
Perhaps this means that others will see Jesus in our lives.
And as they see Him at work in our lives, they will honor Him.
Whatever blessing we may bring, it's all because of, and by His grace, His unmerited favor.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder what to pray for?

2. Do you know that prayer is primarily asking God for things?

3. Do you know that God helps us to know what to ask for as we read His Word?

4. Do you know that God will answer prayer that is in accordance with His will?

5. Will you with me, ask God to help both of us to be more prayerful in our lives day by day?

A Prayer:

Father, since we have been reading about prayer, this is a good time to pray. We would like to place our heartfelt “ditto" next to, or underneath, all those things that Paul prayed for many, many years ago. The things he prayed for are just as important and needful today as they were back in the day. Lord, would You be gracious to us, and lift up Your face upon us and cause it to shine on our lives and give us peace today. Please transform our lives and use them to bring honor and glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia