PRAY FOR US - Study 3/17/11
Pray for us
Why does God ask us to pray? Doesn’t God already know what we need? Why would a giant of faith like Apostle Paul ask people to pray for him and his companions? Do you need prayers for you and are you praying for others? God loves to be worshiped and He loves to hear from His children. This is my definition of prayer – It is worship and communion with God.
It is amazing what categories our prayers will fall under when they are subjected to analysis. I believe most of our prayers would fall under the subsistence living or prayers for provision and protection heading. Have you noticed what Apostle Paul asks for when he says pray for me or us? In our study today, He makes such request of the Thessalonians. Let’s see. “Brothers and sisters, 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 people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:1-2.
Do you know who we need to be praying for right now? I would say we need to pray for the Japanese that God will have mercy on them and that because of last week’s earthquake and tsunami that the Word of God will prosper in their hearts and minds and around the world. You know there will be a world-wide tsunami when everything will perish and the only thing left standing is life anchored in Jesus. Yes, God understands the suffering of the people in Japan and other places where there are severe sufferings. God will take care of the living and we should do whatever we can to help send aid to Japan. But no suffering of present time can be compared to eternal life without God or away from God. The Gospel of Christ is still the only answer available in the whole world for salvation through belief in Christ as the Savior. Pray for the Gospel to advance and prosper.
Will you pray for me and us as Paul requested? I sincerely need your prayers and thank you for praying for me and for all believers in Christ that we may advance the Gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:1-5
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
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. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you 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.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Before Apostle Paul asked for prayers, he had already given thanks and prayed for the Thessalonians. He prayed, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” vs.16and 17. What is an eternal encouragement and good hope? It sounds to me that it is encouragement that lasts forever. Note that God by his grace has already given it to us (see 13 and 14). I can conclude that Paul is referring to our salvation. It is the greatest encouragement you would ever have and greatest hope you will ever need. Thank God He has given that to us. Are you discouraged today, know that you have an eternal encouragement (another translation says everlasting consolation).
2. Notice that God’s encouragement is continuous. Paul is praying for the Thessalonians that God would “encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word”. The NKJV says, “Comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work”. We need encouragement and comfort in the midst of trials just as the Thessalonians were going through. I believe Paul is saying it is not enough to go through trials. His prayer for the Thessalonians and for us is that out of it all, God will establish a good work/deed and that the words that come out of our mouths would establish and strengthen someone else. “The God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” 2 Corinthians 1:4. Do you see someone you can encourage today based on what you have already gone through? Be an encourager today.
3. Let us focus on the “good work/deed”. Paul is not saying do good work or deed so that you will ensure your salvation. Note that he has already established that we have been chosen and given the grace that saved us (vs. 13 and 14). The work Paul refers to here is work that results from our salvation. This is in line with Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2:8-18 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Are you still wandering what good works you are supposed to do? Then let’s ask God who has prepared it in advance. We don’t need to look too hard because the Scripture says whatever our hands find doing, to do it unto the Lord. Everything we do is God’s work so you and I are in full-time ministry. Let’s stop making the distinction between the secular and the sacred in our lives. Everything is sacred (set apart for God) in our lives.
4. Now back to Paul’s prayer request. “Brothers and sisters, 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 people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:1-2. I am humbled by Paul’s prayer request. Notice that Paul was very careful to make prayer requests. Look at other requests of Paul. “Brethren, pray for us”1 Thessalonians. 5:25. He does not add details but Paul believed that the Holy Spirit makes intercession through us and for us so no detail in this instance. In other instances he was more specific when he asked for prayers. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed” Romans 15:30-32. We can learn from Paul. First we should not hesitate to ask other brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us. Also, sometimes we can be specific and we should. At other times we do not have to be specific. Do you think the Thessalonians prayed for Paul? I bet you they did. Note that Paul’s prayers always centered on God empowering him to help others.
5. For one, we know that the prayers prayed for Paul were answered. The gospel spread rapidly and God used the Roman infrastructure then to facilitate the spread. The same thing is happening today with the internet and advance in technology. We can now minister to people thousands of miles away and still have the same effect as if we were in person because it is still by the power of the Holy Spirit. We thank God for the opportunities we have today. Jesus’ own words are coming true. ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Hello saint of God, go forth and do God’s work and make Christ known to all.
6. Apostle Paul also requested one more prayer. He said, “Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:2. There are enemies of the gospel who are engineered by Satan himself. Their primary goal is to stop the spread of the gospel. We must be aware of them and pray like Paul prayed for deliverance from their hands. Yes, “not everyone has faith” in God and not everyone believes as we do. Our weapon will always be prayer for such people. God will take care of such people. Do you know of any right now that are bugging you? Pray to God for them and ask other believers to pray for you too.
7. God is faithful and He will perfect all things that concern us. “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you 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”. We need not fear because God will always do His work of salvation and deliverance of us. He is a God worth trusting and I am sticking with Him. How about you? Where is your confidence besides being in God?
Brothers and sisters, please pray for me. Pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto our God. Also pray that God’s word will prosper and spread through my mouth, my hand and my deeds. Please pray that I will see many in eternity who came to faith through God’s word passing through me and being lived out through me. Please pray for me like Paul prayed for the Thessalonians and say, “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance”. These are my prayers for you too. Amen.
Will you pray for me?
Why does God ask us to pray? Doesn’t God already know what we need? Why would a giant of faith like Apostle Paul ask people to pray for him and his companions? Do you need prayers for you and are you praying for others? God loves to be worshiped and He loves to hear from His children. This is my definition of prayer – It is worship and communion with God.
It is amazing what categories our prayers will fall under when they are subjected to analysis. I believe most of our prayers would fall under the subsistence living or prayers for provision and protection heading. Have you noticed what Apostle Paul asks for when he says pray for me or us? In our study today, He makes such request of the Thessalonians. Let’s see. “Brothers and sisters, 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 people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:1-2.
Do you know who we need to be praying for right now? I would say we need to pray for the Japanese that God will have mercy on them and that because of last week’s earthquake and tsunami that the Word of God will prosper in their hearts and minds and around the world. You know there will be a world-wide tsunami when everything will perish and the only thing left standing is life anchored in Jesus. Yes, God understands the suffering of the people in Japan and other places where there are severe sufferings. God will take care of the living and we should do whatever we can to help send aid to Japan. But no suffering of present time can be compared to eternal life without God or away from God. The Gospel of Christ is still the only answer available in the whole world for salvation through belief in Christ as the Savior. Pray for the Gospel to advance and prosper.
Will you pray for me and us as Paul requested? I sincerely need your prayers and thank you for praying for me and for all believers in Christ that we may advance the Gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:1-5
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
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. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you 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.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Before Apostle Paul asked for prayers, he had already given thanks and prayed for the Thessalonians. He prayed, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word” vs.16and 17. What is an eternal encouragement and good hope? It sounds to me that it is encouragement that lasts forever. Note that God by his grace has already given it to us (see 13 and 14). I can conclude that Paul is referring to our salvation. It is the greatest encouragement you would ever have and greatest hope you will ever need. Thank God He has given that to us. Are you discouraged today, know that you have an eternal encouragement (another translation says everlasting consolation).
2. Notice that God’s encouragement is continuous. Paul is praying for the Thessalonians that God would “encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word”. The NKJV says, “Comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work”. We need encouragement and comfort in the midst of trials just as the Thessalonians were going through. I believe Paul is saying it is not enough to go through trials. His prayer for the Thessalonians and for us is that out of it all, God will establish a good work/deed and that the words that come out of our mouths would establish and strengthen someone else. “The God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” 2 Corinthians 1:4. Do you see someone you can encourage today based on what you have already gone through? Be an encourager today.
3. Let us focus on the “good work/deed”. Paul is not saying do good work or deed so that you will ensure your salvation. Note that he has already established that we have been chosen and given the grace that saved us (vs. 13 and 14). The work Paul refers to here is work that results from our salvation. This is in line with Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2:8-18 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Are you still wandering what good works you are supposed to do? Then let’s ask God who has prepared it in advance. We don’t need to look too hard because the Scripture says whatever our hands find doing, to do it unto the Lord. Everything we do is God’s work so you and I are in full-time ministry. Let’s stop making the distinction between the secular and the sacred in our lives. Everything is sacred (set apart for God) in our lives.
4. Now back to Paul’s prayer request. “Brothers and sisters, 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 people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:1-2. I am humbled by Paul’s prayer request. Notice that Paul was very careful to make prayer requests. Look at other requests of Paul. “Brethren, pray for us”1 Thessalonians. 5:25. He does not add details but Paul believed that the Holy Spirit makes intercession through us and for us so no detail in this instance. In other instances he was more specific when he asked for prayers. “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed” Romans 15:30-32. We can learn from Paul. First we should not hesitate to ask other brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for us. Also, sometimes we can be specific and we should. At other times we do not have to be specific. Do you think the Thessalonians prayed for Paul? I bet you they did. Note that Paul’s prayers always centered on God empowering him to help others.
5. For one, we know that the prayers prayed for Paul were answered. The gospel spread rapidly and God used the Roman infrastructure then to facilitate the spread. The same thing is happening today with the internet and advance in technology. We can now minister to people thousands of miles away and still have the same effect as if we were in person because it is still by the power of the Holy Spirit. We thank God for the opportunities we have today. Jesus’ own words are coming true. ““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Hello saint of God, go forth and do God’s work and make Christ known to all.
6. Apostle Paul also requested one more prayer. He said, “Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith” vs.3:2. There are enemies of the gospel who are engineered by Satan himself. Their primary goal is to stop the spread of the gospel. We must be aware of them and pray like Paul prayed for deliverance from their hands. Yes, “not everyone has faith” in God and not everyone believes as we do. Our weapon will always be prayer for such people. God will take care of such people. Do you know of any right now that are bugging you? Pray to God for them and ask other believers to pray for you too.
7. God is faithful and He will perfect all things that concern us. “The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you 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”. We need not fear because God will always do His work of salvation and deliverance of us. He is a God worth trusting and I am sticking with Him. How about you? Where is your confidence besides being in God?
Brothers and sisters, please pray for me. Pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable unto our God. Also pray that God’s word will prosper and spread through my mouth, my hand and my deeds. Please pray that I will see many in eternity who came to faith through God’s word passing through me and being lived out through me. Please pray for me like Paul prayed for the Thessalonians and say, “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance”. These are my prayers for you too. Amen.
Will you pray for me?
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