Freedom House Church and Healing Centre

Prayer is a priority

1Furthermore, brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as [it has done] with you, 2 And that we may be delivered from perverse (improper, unrighteous) and wicked (actively malicious) men, for not everybody has faith and is held by it. 3 Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do the things which we suggest and with which we charge you.5 May the Lord direct your hearts into [realizing and showing] the love of God and into the steadfastness and patience of Christ and in waiting for His return. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 - Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

Good day Saints,

We are in the full throws of summer! Incredibly hot weather, lots of sun, and very little rain. My grass is yellow, but my garden is thriving. I water and tend to my garden because I want to enjoy the fruit of my labors, but I neglect my lawn…I guess since I can’t eat it. I devote more time to the things that bring personal benefit. I have also been so conditioned by the city I live in that I need to conserve water, that I only water the things that are important to me. Well, there it is in a nutshell – priorities. What are my priorities?

Today’s passage is about what is important to the Christian – not the one who warms a pew occasionally, but the passionate follower of Jesus who is concerned about the things of God and furthering His kingdom. PRAYER ought to be the priority of every believer that desires to see the things of God manifest on earth and in their lives – like people coming to know the Savior through the preaching of the gospel. Now, if that is not important to you (ask yourself why?), then at least pray for those who are faithful to fulfill their call to preach the gospel and make disciples. It was the passion of the Apostle Paul to preach the good news of Jesus to the world, and he taught those who were converted under his ministry to do the same. I am absolutely amazed in the prayer meetings I have attended over the years, at how little of the prayers that we are commanded to pray in Scripture, actually get prayed by the church. What are our priorities – the things that bring personal benefit…I confess!

Now, just look at our text today (and I used the Amplified Bible so we could really understand what is being said). We are commanded to pray for the gospel (the word of the Lord) to spread rapidly, and take effect, even as it has done in our own lives – that is God’s heart! Secondly, we need to pray for those who are on the front lines of gospel ministry, that they be delivered from “evil and wicked” people who oppose the gospel and the mission of Christ. Let’s ask ourselves what percentage of our prayers are really for the things that are on the heart of Jesus?

There is so much to accept in this passage – like there are actually evil people who are opposed to the things of God – who hate Christ and His followers. But, that is ok, because God is faithful and will strengthen and protect us from evil (vs. 3). Now there is something to pray and praise about! Even in the midst of all the “perverse and evil” things going on in the world, we can rest in God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers for the gospel to spread and change lives. Now Paul closes this section with a prayer for the Thessalonian believers: “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ” (vs. 5). Wow! When was the last time we prayed that!

Friends, I am convicted that I need to pray more…not just any prayers, but the prayers that God wants us to pray. I need to make the prayers that I am commanded to pray a priority. I want to strongly encourage you to click on the link below, and read a blog posted by Wendy entitled, “continue earnestly in prayer” http://www.freedomhousechc.ca/blogs/ears-to-hear/continue-earnestly-in-prayer/

Let’s pray in faith believing that our prayers have power, because we have a God who answers the prayers of His people, since they are the prayers He commanded us to pray.

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1John 5:14)

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Have a super blessed week!