Prayerful Confidence In God Series

2 Thess 3:1-5 Prayerful Confidence in God

Let’s recap what we have covered so far. This letter was written to encourage the Thessalonians and clarify the confusion they had regarding the return of Christ.

• Chapter 1 – Paul encouraged them at the start and gave thanks for their faith and perseverance amid the persecution.

• He reassured them that God would judge the evildoers ultimately.

• Chapter 2 – Paul enlightened the confused ones who thought that Christ had returned, and they were left behind.

• Paul said the Day of the Lord has not come because TWO events have yet to take place - the rebellion has not come and the “man of lawlessness” has not appeared.

• God has revealed a timeline in the Scriptures, and they can trust what God has said.

Paul ended chapter 2, urging them to stand firm in the truth and traditions that they have been taught by Paul and his companions, both in person and by letter.

• Reminding them that they are the beloved of God, chosen and called by God, sanctified by His Spirit and will one day be glorified with Christ.

Chapter 3 today, Paul writes…

3:1-2 1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, as happened among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.

The work of the Gospel continues. Paul urged them to pray for him and his companions.

• I like to highlight 3 things that we can learn from Paul’s request for prayer:

1. We see Paul’s HUMBLE DEPENDENCE on God.

The work of the Gospel is a work of God. Paul asks them to “pray for us” - himself, Silas and Timothy, the team that has been travelling the region preaching the Gospel.

• This is not an unusual request. Paul has been asking churches to pray for him and his work – in this letter, and also in letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Romans.

• Paul recognises that he is fully dependent on God for both his well-being and ministry.

We see not just his dependence on God but also his humility. He is asking the Thessalonians, who are his converts, the young believers, to pray for him.

• The “teacher” is asking his “students” to pray for him. It’s like a seasoned warrior asking his new recruits to pray for him.

• Paul knows where he stands in the work of the Gospel. He is fully aware of his role and God’s role in the Gospel.

• He is but an evangelist, the carrier of the “word of the Lord”, doing a work that only God can accomplish.

• He cannot convict the hearts of men or bring about faith. Without God, he cannot only preach.

The prayer shows where Paul’s faith lies. This is what makes him great.

• He is fully aware of his inadequacy and that he is just a vessel used by God, a steward of God entrusted with the message of God.

• He is humble enough to understand his need for God’s help. And hence the need for prayers, even prayers from young believers who are saved through him.

There is no status when it comes to prayer. Every prayer matters. All prayers are important to God. He listens to all, regardless of status or rank. The prayer of a child is as precious as the prayer of a king.

At times, we might think that the prayers of pastors or leaders carry more weight, but they don’t. God doesn’t measure the power of a prayer by who says it, how long it is, or how eloquent the words are, as Jesus said in Matt 6. What matters most is the heart behind it.

Your prayers are just as effective as mine. God does not hear me any quicker than He hears you. We all come to God on an equal basis.

At big events, people will like to call on the pastor to pray, but it is important to know that a pastor’s prayer is not “more special” than others. I don’t have a special line to God.

The only difference is that because pastors are often asked to pray, they are more seasoned at it because “practice makes perfect”. People keep calling them to pray, so they get better at it. But so can anyone. Prayer strengthens with practice.

So, pray more and you will find yourselves comfortable praying, even in public.

Many in Paul’s shoes might have taken the opportunity to boast of their achievements.

• In a short time and under difficult circumstances, Paul preached the Gospel and founded the church, and produced good results at that.

• We read that the believers’ works of faith, labour of love and perseverance have become exemplary to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (cf. 1 Thess 1:7).