Pray

# 26 2019 Devotion, 2 Th.3:1. Pray!  Read verses 1-5. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.

 2 Thessalonians 3:1 “As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you”.

 Paul has been fervently praying for the Thessalonica church but in this passage he is asking them to pray for him! This is an important prayer request for all those who preach God’s grace by word and by deed. It is a constant prayer for missionaries, pastors, all church leaders, and for all those who truly follow Jesus Christ. When we start looking at the culture around us, really start looking, we can’t help but see that this passage is written to us today! Many churches and many Christians are not relevant to their surroundings. We ask ourselves; “why is that?” Is this because our culture has changed so much, or, is it because churches and Christians have not adapted to the post Christian culture in this country? I think it is both, making this prayer request completely relevant today.

 Paul also asks them to pray “that we may to be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.” Paul assures them and assures us that God is “faithful, he will strengthen” us and will “protect” us “from the evil one.” We know that since Jesus’s victory on the cross Satan’s power is now restricted but our failure to follow God’s laws and precepts will give Satan an opportunity to influence us. Paul says as much to the Thessalonians; “we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.” Paul is confident that his instruction to them are God’s commands. This is very much an issue today: are those ordained as ministers of the Word speaking for God? Also, are they able to faithfully exegete the Word of God?  We don’t have the answers but we ask those questions in the light of the increasing irrelevance of the church.  

 At the same time, we know that God is faithful and that Christ is the head of the church. Paul moves the Thessalonians and he moves us into that direction: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance”. Amen! That is a good place to be.

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