2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. – 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Click to read passage
This passage is the final section of Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica. Right at the beginning, Paul asks the believers to pray for him, just as he did at the end of his first letter when he also made a request for intercession: “Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5:25). The phrase “please pray for me” is very simple, yet it is quite special that Paul asked these new believers to pray for him and his team. It is like a pastor asking a newcomer to the church to pray for him—something that is not easy to do. Paul asked this church twice to pray for him, which fully shows his humility and also highlights the importance of mutual intercession in Christ.
Prayer is an authority given to us by God. He wants us to come before Him in all things through prayer. Prayer is something every child of God can do; even if one cannot speak, one can still pray in the spirit. We should not say that we are new believers or that we do not know how to pray. Before God, everyone is the same. It is like learning to speak— a child does not need advanced knowledge before starting to talk, but simply speaks according to his stage of growth. In the eyes of parents, every sound is precious. We are all God’s precious children, and He listens to our cries before Him. Even the weakest member delights the Lord, and He pays attention to his prayer. Therefore, let us all take up the authority of prayer and intercede for ourselves, our families and friends, and the ministries of the church, showing that in Christ we are one family.
Paul clearly understood that in times of suffering and trials, both his team and the Thessalonian church needed to be united in the Lord, supporting and praying for one another. Therefore he said to the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica: “Please pray for us.” This was also something Paul and his team often did, so that both sides could stand firm in the Lord during hardship. What Paul asked them to pray for was not his personal matters, but that God’s kingdom would expand and that the gospel would be preached without hindrance, so that God’s name would receive the glory it deserves (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Paul devoted his whole life to preaching the gospel, and he deeply understood how difficult this mission was. He needed the unity, support, and prayers of the body of Christ.
More importantly, this letter was also written to address certain problems in the church. The believers in Thessalonica were confused about the timing of Christ’s return. Some thought that since the Lord’s coming was near, they did not need to work and should just wait for Him. This sounded very spiritual, but in reality it had already damaged the unity and stability of the church and did not align with apostolic teaching.
Therefore, Paul began with prayer to seek unity, so that the church could be of one heart with him and together seek God’s will. He also clearly pointed out that Christians have responsibilities to fulfill each day while living in this world. Work is also one of God’s callings, and only by working diligently (2 Thessalonians 3:12) can we bear better witness to the gospel of Christ. Toward those who are lost, we should receive and exhort them with love, as we wait together for Christ’s return.
Reflection:
– In what situations would I ask others to pray for me?
– Do I have a group of prayer partners who can come before the Lord together in all things through prayer? If not, start looking for them today.
Prayer:
Lord who hears our prayers, thank You for giving me a spiritual family so that we can often come before You in unity to pray and seek Your will. When I am weak, knowing that someone is praying for me is such a beautiful blessing. Lord, help us to cherish fellowship in You and the sweetness of mutual intercession, so that our lives may continually bear witness to Your name. We pray in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Click to read passage
This passage is the final section of Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica. Right at the beginning, Paul asks the believers to pray for him, just as he did at the end of his first letter when he also made a request for intercession: “Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” (1 Thessalonians 5:25). The phrase “please pray for me” is very simple, yet it is quite special that Paul asked these new believers to pray for him and his team. It is like a pastor asking a newcomer to the church to pray for him—something that is not easy to do. Paul asked this church twice to pray for him, which fully shows his humility and also highlights the importance of mutual intercession in Christ.
Prayer is an authority given to us by God. He wants us to come before Him in all things through prayer. Prayer is something every child of God can do; even if one cannot speak, one can still pray in the spirit. We should not say that we are new believers or that we do not know how to pray. Before God, everyone is the same. It is like learning to speak— a child does not need advanced knowledge before starting to talk, but simply speaks according to his stage of growth. In the eyes of parents, every sound is precious. We are all God’s precious children, and He listens to our cries before Him. Even the weakest member delights the Lord, and He pays attention to his prayer. Therefore, let us all take up the authority of prayer and intercede for ourselves, our families and friends, and the ministries of the church, showing that in Christ we are one family.
Paul clearly understood that in times of suffering and trials, both his team and the Thessalonian church needed to be united in the Lord, supporting and praying for one another. Therefore he said to the brothers and sisters in Thessalonica: “Please pray for us.” This was also something Paul and his team often did, so that both sides could stand firm in the Lord during hardship. What Paul asked them to pray for was not his personal matters, but that God’s kingdom would expand and that the gospel would be preached without hindrance, so that God’s name would receive the glory it deserves (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Paul devoted his whole life to preaching the gospel, and he deeply understood how difficult this mission was. He needed the unity, support, and prayers of the body of Christ.
More importantly, this letter was also written to address certain problems in the church. The believers in Thessalonica were confused about the timing of Christ’s return. Some thought that since the Lord’s coming was near, they did not need to work and should just wait for Him. This sounded very spiritual, but in reality it had already damaged the unity and stability of the church and did not align with apostolic teaching.
Therefore, Paul began with prayer to seek unity, so that the church could be of one heart with him and together seek God’s will. He also clearly pointed out that Christians have responsibilities to fulfill each day while living in this world. Work is also one of God’s callings, and only by working diligently (2 Thessalonians 3:12) can we bear better witness to the gospel of Christ. Toward those who are lost, we should receive and exhort them with love, as we wait together for Christ’s return.
Reflection:
– In what situations would I ask others to pray for me?
– Do I have a group of prayer partners who can come before the Lord together in all things through prayer? If not, start looking for them today.
Prayer:
Lord who hears our prayers, thank You for giving me a spiritual family so that we can often come before You in unity to pray and seek Your will. When I am weak, knowing that someone is praying for me is such a beautiful blessing. Lord, help us to cherish fellowship in You and the sweetness of mutual intercession, so that our lives may continually bear witness to Your name. We pray in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.