David continued our ‘Living In-between’ series, focusing today on 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.
Paul repeatedly in his letters asks for prayer for himself. In this chapter Paul asks the readers/listeners to pray for two things:
1. That the word of God may speed ahead. This was important to Paul and it had been his life’s mission to see the gospel spread out further and further. This was a prayer request for gospel advancement and acceptance. He attaches a note of thankfulness to this request, noting that the gospel had successfully spread to the Thessalonians.
2. That he would be delivered from wicked and evil men. The very reason he had to write the letter and was not with them was because they had been driven out of Thessalonica (Acts 17). Paul knew that not all people would accept his message.
Paul seamlessly continues, affirming confidently:
BUT THE LORD IS FAITHFUL.
God’s faithfulness provides help and hope to the Christian, no matter what is happening in their life. David challenged us to consider the faithfulness of God in the light of what we are experiencing right now. For those who feel their faith is fragile, he pointed to 1 Corinthians 1:8-9; for those who are feeling the strain of temptation he quoted 1 Corinthians 10:13; and for those struggling with guilt, 1 John 1:9. As Paul continues in 2 Thessalonians 3:
AND HE WILL STRENGTHEN YOU AND PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE.
God protects us through the Armour of God (which is the current theme in the evening services here at Windsor). God has given us everything we need to live for Him. Paul is not concerned about the believers he is writing to because he is confident in the Lord.
Paul finishes by praying for his readers/listeners:
MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS INTO GOD’S LOVE AND CHRIST’S PERSEVERANCE.
What an amazing prayer! David explained the broad scope of this prayer: that they would love God more and know more of God’s love; and that they would know Christ endured for them and they would endure in Christ.
David explained that 2023 has been set apart in Windsor as a year of prayer and this passage has much application for our prayer lives.
Application:
- Have you ever asked someone to pray for you? Have you been specific about what they can pray for? Why have you not done this?
- Who can you ask to pray for you? What can you ask them to pray for? Do it today!
- Are you praying for the advancement of the gospel? Are you using the prayer information distributed by the church? Are you attending the prayer meetings? Have you considered that your lack of prayer for mission could impede the spread of the gospel and its acceptance in the world today?
- Let’s get asking others to pray for us and get on our knees and pray too!
