Title: Join Me in Your Prayers
Contents
Paul had a humble attitude and passion for ministry in which he asked the Thessalonian church members to pray for the gospel to be preached successfully without hindrance. (Romans 15:30, 2 Corinthians 1:11) Prayer for the faith of others and the interests of others is possible only for believers who have matured in their faith. Prayer should not be unilaterally prayed by the clergy for the sake of the saints, but between the clergy and the lay faithful. Like Paul's request, the request of prayer is a reminder to the lay faithful that they have a noble mission to pray. The excellent ministry of the clergy can bear great fruit from helping lay people with a sense of mission and prayer.
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I. Paul's Prayer Request
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① Pray for the rapid spread of the gospel (verse 1)
“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified as it is among you.”
The greatest service and benefit to others is to pray for them. Paul sometimes compared his apostolic efforts to a race (1 Corinthians 9:24, Gal 2:2; Phil 2:16), which is to pray for the gospel to be preached (spread) as quickly as a race (Psalm 147:15). Just as Paul glorified God because of them in Thessalonica when the gospel was fully fulfilled, Paul is asking for prayers so that we may be glorified through the progress of the gospel in other places (Morris). The gospel is the power of God for salvation to those who believe (Romans 1:16). The gospel must be preached in order to be believed (Romans 10:14). The preaching of the gospel is an urgent matter, and it is a top priority that must be preached quickly. The preaching of the gospel is the mission that the resurrected Jesus entrusted to his disciples. The prayer for the clergy is to spread the gospel effectively and well, so let's pray and practice so that the gospel can be spread like running.
② Pray for the safety of the gospel workers (2)
“And deliver us from the unreasonable and evil men, for faith does not belong to all.”
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Ⅱ. Grace that those who pray will receive
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① The Lord gives grace to those who believe in Him as faithful (verse 3).
“The Lord is faithful and will strengthen you and keep you from the evil one.”
② It is the grace that protects us from evil (3b).
“He will protect you from the wicked”
The apostle Paul is confident that the faithful God will protect the praying Thessalonians from the wicked (v. 3). God always protects those who pray from the evil forces that persecute and tempt them. Trust that God will protect you from the evil one. We cannot survive without protecting even a single moment.
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Ⅲ. Paul's assurance and the Lord's guidance (4)
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“We have confidence in the Lord that you will do and will do”
Paul is convinced that the Thessalonians will live according to the apostolic teaching. “In the Lord” comes from the foundation of faith (Romans 14:14). Those who do not have confidence in faith are shaken by even a slight breeze. Those who believe in God's word and believe in God's faithfulness are not shaken under any circumstances. In verse 5 (“May the Lord lead your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ”), “to lead” (katydunai) is a future active lore, which originally meant all things on the way. It means to remove obstacles and 'make it go straight', and "God's love" is God's love for us and the governing principle in our hearts that makes us love Him. “Patience” (Hipomoenen) in “Patience of Christ” is a word that points out the characteristics of a person who does not waver in the face of severe trials and tribulations and keeps his purpose and loyalty to his faith. I hope you get into patience.
Everyone! Are you having a difficult time? Can't you see the answers to your prayers? Let us imitate the patience of Christ who endured suffering on the cross. We hope that you will wait for the answer of prayer with patience, overcome trials with patience, and wait for the Lord's return with patience until the end. (July 17, 2005)