Title: Paul's "Prayer Request" / Topic: Challenge

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

Observation: I just love this prayer of Paul's -- actually it is a prayer request. (At least it starts out that way.) In verse one, Paul asks for prayer for effective and fruitful ministry. In verse two, Paul requests prayer for protection from human opposition, which is always something that must be contended with in any true Godly ministry. Then in verses three through five, Paul shifts into encouragement and affirmation sprinkled with a little "positive pressure," giving the Thessalonian Christians a gentle but firm reminder that what Paul has said is what God wants for them. Some would call claiming to speak for God presumption or arrogance. I call it being confident in your call and ministry.

Application: And desiring to be confident and effective in my own call and ministry, aspiring to the example of Paul, I would make the same request of you, my dear reader, to "pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored... and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men..." And I would also offer the same positively-pressured encouragement that "we have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." May the Lord help me and you and all those who name the name of Jesus to conduct ourselves in these ways.

Prayer: Father, I so desire to see believers grow in obedience and fervor for you, laying aside the distractions of this world, which is passing away. Strengthen us in your Spirit and in your word that we would walk in a way that lifts Jesus up and draws others to him.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.