“Pray for Gospel Expansion & Deliverance from Evil Men” (Billy Russell, 03/01/20)

Praying More in Desperate Days

             “Pray for Gospel Expansion & Deliverance from Evil Men”

                                           

“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. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.... May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” (2 Thes. 3:1-2, 5, NIV)

 

Overview:

3 Prayers- representing prayers #3 and #4 in the letter.

     2 Requests- Paul asks believers in Thessalonica to pray for them.

          1 Intercession- Paul again prays for the believers in Thessalonica.

 

Request #1- Pray for Gospel expansion (3:1)- “Pray continuously...”

                                         

     “Spread rapidly”- “the message (word) of the Lord” (gospel dependency)

         (“to run”)           the herald’s (runner’s) urgency/opportunity (advance)

                                  loving obedience to share “the message” (receptivity)

 

     “Be honored”- response to “the message” brings glory to God!

 

Request #2- Pray for Deliverance from wicked and evil people (3:2-4)-

 

     “for not everyone has faith”- the sad, simple truth; w/o faith, opposition.

 

     “But the Lord is faithful”- contrast; declarative: count on (trust) the Lord.

 

     “he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one”- God on guard.

 

Intercession in two parts- Pray for crucial and urgent needs (3:5):

 

     “Direct (guide) your hearts into God’s love...”- Love is the crucial value!

          “... live & act in a loving manner reflective of God’s love....” (Martin)

 

     “... and Christ’s perseverance”-Patient endurance is urgently necessary!