Thursday, September 23, 2010
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
PRAY FOR THE LORD'S MISSIONARIES
In the verse above, taken from Paul's second letter to the Christians of Thessalonica, Paul solicits prayers for the mission work he is doing in faraway Corinth. He had first visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. During his stay there the Thessalonians had become believers through the Gospel he had preached among them, happy possessors of all the treasures of God's grace. Now Paul asks them to petition Jesus to similarly bless the mission work he is doing in Corinth, so that many more souls might be rescued from the dark power of Satan and brought into the kingdom of God's dear Son.
We are also privileged to support the Lord's missionaries with our prayers. Let us remember to petition Him regularly to open doors of opportunity for the Gospel treasure to be distributed in far away places, that He would enable our missionaries to carry His Gospel banner forward with swiftness and proclaim His Word with clarity, so that the Holy Spirit might use it to bring those trapped in darkness to anchor their hopes for forgiveness, life, and salvation in Christ Jesus, the Light of the World.
Notice how Paul encourages the Thessalonians to offer prayers on his and his fellow apostles' behalf by name. So be encouraged, too, to pray for your missionaries by name. They will appreciate it, just as Paul appreciated the prayers of his fellow Christians in Thessalonica.
Mission Prayer: Lord God, heavenly Father, Your Son died on the cross to redeem all people, those living close by and also far away. Look with compassion on the millions still living in the darkness and the shadow of death in the land of (fill in country). Grant that Missionary (fill in name) may reach them with the message of the Cross so that they may believe and live. Wherever Christian missionaries are engaged in the blessed task of bringing the Gospel to the heathen, grant success to their labors. Open the hearts of many to accept Your Word in faith. Protect Missionary (fill in name) and all our missionaries and ward off all persecution. Bless them with health and strength. Give them grace to be patient and faithful, and finally receive them and those whom they lead to Christ into the glory of heaven. In Jesus' saving name. Amen.
