The Prayer I Desire

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, ² and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith.
-2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Paul knew the importance of prayer. As a preacher, I know the importance of prayer as I'm working on blog posts, show outlines and sermons. But, for me, when it comes to praying for others, that's where I fall short. Sure, if someone comes and asks me for prayer, I pray for them. I also fall short in asking for prayer from others. From what I've read on Facebook posts and twitter posts, as well as some other bloggers, I think many of us have difficulty when it comes to prayer, specifically prayer for others. I know that there are those "prayer warriors" out there who can knock out demons with their prayers. I am not one of them. Paul, wasn't shy about asking for prayer. If you read through his letters that make up most of the New Testament, you can always find him asking the church for prayer. What he asks for in Second Thessalonians 3, is what I ask you to pray for ScriptureLinks and for your own ministry and church as well.

Paul writes, "Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith." Paul is asking them for three specific requests. First, "that the Lord's message may spread rapidly." Paul has a desire that all hear the Gospel. It's a desire that I have as well. I hear lots and lots of Christian people saying things like, "I just wish I could go home to be with Jesus. I'm just so tired of things here." Or, "I'm so homesick for Heaven." There is just so much wrong with those statements, in my opinion. There are so many who still need Jesus, and if Jesus returns today, there are so many who will be condemned to Hell. As a preacher of the Gospel, I desire that the Gospel spreads, and that everyone has an opportunity to meet Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to my home in Heaven, but I know there is still people that I need to minister to. Paul asks the church at Thessolanica to pray that the Gospel message spreads rapidly, so that as many people as possible hear the message. Second, he asks that they pray the message "be honored." Paul wants people to, not only hear the message, respond to it. Paul's desire was that people hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus, and then respond to it by giving their lives to Jesus. The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is life changing. But, so many people today don't honor the Gospel any longer. For all intent and purposes, the Gospel has been twisted, misused and adulterated. Many people have never heard the true, pure, life changing words of an authentic Gospel of Jesus. Even those who proclaim to be Christians twist the Gospel to suit their needs and desire. God help us.

Finally, Paul asks them to pray "that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men." If you read Paul's letters, and read about his missionary journeys in Acts, you can see how he was beaten, and how much he suffered for the Gospel. Paul knew that hard times would come. The rest of verse 2 says, "for not all have faith." We, today, continue to face hard times when it comes to sharing the Gospel. But, Paul didn't let hard times defeat his work, and we shouldn't either. Think About It.