Prayers of Paul 10

2 Thessalonians 1
11Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was so proud of the Thessalonian church that he boasted of them “among the churches of God for [their] patience and faith in all [their] persecutions and tribulations that [they] endure” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). Paul is writing to encourage them in the persecution and hardship they are facing. And his prayer for them gives us some insight into Paul’s understanding of what they must have been thinking and feeling as they endured their suffering at the hands of unbelievers.

First, Paul redirected the Thessalonian believers’ focus from their present suffering to an eternal perspective on their position as citizens of God’s Kingdom. He encouraged them to live in light of this perspective by reminding them that upon Christ’s return He will “give you who are troubled rest” (2 Thessalonians 1:7) and will “repay with tribulation those who trouble you” (2 Thessalonians 1:8). And in light of this eternal perspective he prayed, “that our God would count you worthy of this calling.” The calling to which Paul is referring here is the same one about which he wrote to the Philippian church saying, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). Paul is praying that the Thessalonian believers will remain faithful to the end and will not disqualify themselves through unbelief.

In the midst of suffering it is easy for us to lose sight of the eternal perspective and to focus only on our current unpleasant circumstances. This is especially true when our suffering is the result of the malicious words or deeds of another person or group. Our minds go toward thoughts of revenge for the injustice of our situation. Therefore, we need to heed Paul’s reminder that vengeance belongs to God, and that our responsibility in a situation in which we are suffering is to maintain our intimate walk with God and to guard our hearts from growing cold.

Let’s pray for:
Those whose hearts have grown cold as a result of their suffering.
Those who are being persecuted for their faith.
Those who are persecuting Christians.