...pray for others...

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

“13 But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 For this purpose he called you through our proclamation of the good news, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1 Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” 2 Thessalonians 2:13 — 3:5.

This passage opens in 2:13 with the word “But”, suggesting a contrast between the fate of those “who are perishing” — since they “delighted in wickedness,” (2:10–12) — with the Thessalonian believers, described as brothers and sisters “loved by the Lord” — namely Jesus — and chosen by God for salvation. Paul’s major goal is to reassure the Thessalonians of their salvation, in contrast to those opposing and persecuting them. He assures them that God chose them “as the first fruits” of those to be saved in Thessalonica. And their salvation has been promised to them “through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth” (see v.13). We are not saved, Paul is saying, by our own human spirit, nor are we saved by believing in our own words. Salvation comes to us through belief in the Holy Spirit of God and through the Word of God!

Then Paul calls them “to stand firm and hold fast to” the Holy Spirit of God and to the Word of God. 

Paul ends this chapter with a prayer to encourage and strengthen the Thessalonians.

Paul then asks for their prayers on his behalf. Paul’s first prayer request is on behalf of the message (3:1), the Gospel, the second prayer request is for the messengers who proclaim the Gospel (3:2) — that Paul and his companions, in other words,"may be delivered from wicked and evil people.” Paul then explains why he needs their prayers: "…for not all have faith" (v.3). 

I have always loved this seemingly small request for prayer because we all need one another’s prayers. We call this “intercessory prayer” because we intercede with God -- in prayer -- on behalf of others. We all need people to pray for us, and we need to intercede for others in our own prayer. And the reason why we need others to pray for us is because we don’t always have faith. And the reason why we pray for others is because they don’t always have faith.

So, today in your prayer, remember to pray for others. And every day you pray, when someone comes to mind, or when you refer to your list of people who have asked you to remember them in prayer — pray for them “for not all have faith” all of the time.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.