Revealing Prayers; 2 Thessalonians

May the mumbling commence!

We can learn a lot from what people ask us to pray for them.  We can also learn a lot from how people pray for us.  Look at what Paul, Silvanus and Timothy asked prayers for from the people of Thessalonica.  And look at how these men prayed for the people of Thessalonica.  Read from Second Thessalonians chapter three:

Finally, my brothers, do pray for us here. Pray that the Lord's message may go forward unhindered and may bring him glory, as it has done with you. Pray, too, that we may not be embroiled with bigoted and wicked men; for all men, alas, have not faith.

Yet the Lord is utterly to be depended upon by all who have faith in him, and he will give you stability and protection against all that is evil. It is he who makes us feel confident about you, that you are acting and will act in accordance with our commands.

May he guide your hearts into ever deeper understanding of his love and the patient suffering of Christ. (Verses 1-5)

They ask the Thessalonians to pray that the Lord’s message go forward unhindered.  They ask the Thessalonians to pray for the Lord to receive glory.  They also ask for prayers so that they will not come enmeshed with bigoted and wicked men. 

Alas, there always seems to be bigoted and wicked people wherever one may go.  Indeed, we all need prayers on how to associate with such men in a healing and redemptive way. 

Alas, there will always be someone who does not have faith.  Or someone might struggle with their faith.  It seems that everyone, at one time or another has struggled with faith.

So Paul and his fellow workers remind the people of Thessalonica of who they are to have faith in.  The Lord is utterly to be depended upon.  God will provide protection against all that is evil.  It must have been a difficult lesson to learn when so many were being persecuted and were dying for their Christian faith.

Now, let’s turn and look at how Paul and his fellow workers pray for the people of Thessalonica.  They give thanks that the Thessalonians bring forward and unhindered glorification of God.  They pray that God might guide their hearts into an ever deeper understanding of the love and patient suffering of Christ Jesus.

Paul and his fellow workers are selfless.  They ask for nothing but what would help bring glory to God and what would help to spread the gospel message.  They wish for nothing but growth in faith and love for the people of Thessalonica.

It seems that Paul and his friends have discovered the path to JOY (Jesus first, Yourself last, and Others in between).

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out