2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

3 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. ² And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. ^[1]

As Paul approaches the end of his letter to the church in Thessalonica he now asks for prayer. His request is both personal and general. He has been suffering persecution just as the Thessalonians have been. Yet his desire is not to be hidden away but that there would be quick evident fruit from his labors. There is a great expectation for those who minister by those who are on the receiving end of the ministry. Whether we attend a regular worship service or an evangelistic event we have an expectation of receiving a prayerful and insightful message. But I wonder how many on the receiving end spend time praying for the messenger.

It is often been said that, “if there is prayer in the pew there will be power in the pulpit.” Paul is very transparent here in his request for prayer. He wants the Thessalonians to pray for the quick spread of the gospel, but also for deliverance from “wicked and evil men.” His reason may be shocking to some: “for not everyone has faith.” Remember Paul is writing to the church, so he is referring to people in the church; and, contrary to our ideas about the church and those who populate it, not everyone has faith. Hollywood has ruined many of us to the point that we doubt the real presence of wicked and evil people in the church. But we should not be surprised, the enemy of souls has a vested interest in blocking the spread and honoring of the gospel, so he asks them to pray.

Ever the consummate pastor, he then shifts gears and takes the focus off of himself and places it on the Thessalonians by reminding them of the faithfulness of the Lord and His intention to strengthen them and protect them from the devil. But also, he expresses the confidence that he has in them that they are and will continue to do the things he has not just taught them, but commanded them to do (Something most modern pastors could not get away with.). He concludes this section with a brief prayer for their perseverance. If we pray for those who minister to us, and their effectiveness in sharing the gospel, then we should certainly commit ourselves to following their lead.

Lord, thank You for our faithful pastors, ministers and leaders. Cover and protect them as they labor among us. Deliver them from agents of the devil who have infiltrated the camp to bring confusion and unbelief. Grant that they would ever hear from You a Word that would be ‘rhema’ to us each and every time they preach and teach. May the words from their lips be so anointed that we who hear will latch hold of them, commit our lives to you, and live in such a way as to honor You. Amen.