(Message by Pastor Philip Joseph)
2 Thessalonians 1: 11
Therefore 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.
The Apostles found new believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ as they traveled from one place to another, establishing and strengthening the brethren. But even as they went, they were caring enough and careful to ‘keep in touch’ with the people and events of their previous visits to a particular place.
Those were the days-2000 years before, without social networking, e-mails or even telephones that could establish instant communication; which meant that it required a great deal of pain and perseverance, as letters were being written and sent by hand and in person by messengers from either side-the Apostles or the church. These instances of letters to churches too, were few and far in-between. At other times, the apostles committed everything to the Lord in prayer. Yes, they simply prayed for the believers.
What does your prayer sound like? Do you go to God with a wish-list of things to have or to do? We can measure our prayers, by comparing the requests made by these apostles, during those difficult times. And if we match up our own prayers with what the apostles prayed for, we can come to really know the standard of our own prayers!
You see, your prayer tells a lot about you. Alone with God, what is that sincere prayer from your heart? What are the ‘real’ issues in your life-gripe, gossip, 'more' and 'if only' prayers? We may speak of so many nice things to others; we may even testify to God’s goodness once in a while; but what is your prayer, really?
The church at Thessaloniki was confused about the second coming of Jesus; many had quit their jobs and simply waited for Jesus to return. Paul hears about this and this is his prayer: God would count them worthy of His calling- a calling so high and holy; that God would fulfill every good purpose and every good act prompted by their faith (2 Thess. 1:11).
From the apostles’ prayers, we understand God’s will; we understand what are the main issues in life-to fulfill the high and holy calling; we learn that we ought to pray for other believers too and not just for our own selves! And that we ought to take steps of faith in good acts to fulfill God’s purpose. Is this your prayer, too?
2 Cor. 13: 7, 9
Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honourable, though we may seem disqualified.
For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete.
The Corinthian church had the problem of apostasy; there were false teachers and false apostles misleading the believers and going to the extent of claiming that Paul was a false apostle and they themselves were telling the truth! Paul’s prayer reveals his heart condition- ‘do no wrong {evil}’. Paul’s prayer is that they will find discernment to recognize evil from good, and do what is honourable; that they may know ‘true’ from ‘false’. And that they may be made complete. Paul mentions this because they were to give to needy saints in Jerusalem. He encourages them to give; for it is by giving you are made complete. So now, what is your prayer?
Ephesians 1: 17
…making mention of your prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power…
The church at Ephesus had the privilege of being ministered by Paul himself in the initial few years and were grounded in wisdom and understanding of God and His word. They showed a remarkably high standard of Christian living, which is reflected by the letters of Paul to Ephesians. The short book summarizes the Christian life of rest (sitting in the heavenlies), exercise (walk in love) and warfare (stand against the devil).
With this excellence in Christian walk, Paul’s prayer for the church assumes significance: they needed spiritual wisdom and revelation- of His calling, of His inheritance and of His power. Someone told me that they had read the Bible several times – more than 400 times. And some other told me that he knew a person who had memorized the entire New Testament. Praise God! But the question is: then what happened? You see, you could read the Bible religiously or as a routine-which, is a good practice from childhood. But what we need is a revelation of who God is and who God says He is-to grasp the unimaginable possibilities! And to have that revelation, you require a prayer and a heart God can work with! Then we SEE with our eyes, the enormous power of heaven backing us on our way. What is your prayer?
Philippians 1: 9, 10
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ…
The church at Philippe were filled with emotionally bonded Christians; for they cared for Paul so much that they sent a person from among them-Epaphroditus, to seek out and see Paul-who was a prisoner in Rome, with a gift of love from the church, and to minister to Paul’s needs. A loving and a giving church, to say the least!
Paul’s prayer is that their love would increase even more! And that they would discern and distinguish between the ‘good’ and the ‘excellent’, and that they may choose sincerity over show-off, and patience without pretense! As a new believer, you may be trained to discern the good from the bad. But as we mature in Christ, we are called to discern between good, acceptable and the perfect will of God in every area of life. Romans 12: 2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
For example, in marriage, you can distinguish between the good will of God – which is to marry a believer in Christ (as marrying an unbeliever is against God’s will); the acceptable will of God – by waiting on the Lord in prayer and then make a decision; the perfect will of God – as you wait for God’s time and God’s answer for that single person in the whole world, who He has created just for you. In a similar manner, in the place where to live you can find the good will of God – any place that you like; the acceptable will of God – the place that God has placed you to be in; the perfect will of God – the place where God has asked you to go! What is your prayer?
Colossians 1: 9, 10
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossian church was founded by Epaphras and Paul never did have an opportunity to meet with this church in person. But he writes this letter hearing the problems faced by this church. He reiterates in Col. 4: 12 “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bond-servant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
The Colossian church had factions and divisions of people who were misguiding the believers. There were a few who advocated a life based on the (super-natural) visions that they had received; there were others who were into legalism with restrictions on what to eat and what not to eat, clean and unclean things. Another few, proposed a life of ascetic simplicity-treating the body harshly, of being aloof and alone to come closer to God. All this were rubbished by Paul. Paul’s prayer is that they will have spiritual understanding and stand perfect and complete in ALL the will of God. What is your prayer?
Let me close with a prayer of the Apostle John for Gaius. It is found in 3 John 1: 2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Prosper in material things; be in good health; prosper in your soul {intellect, will and emotions}. This is a balanced prayer. Many a time, we are in communication with God with a lop-sided prayer – make me prosper in all things; give me good health (food); and then stop. We need to ask, seek and find that prosperity of the soul. We need to start making a balanced prayer. That is why Jesus taught us in prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread” but also “Hallowed be Your name, our Father; Your kingdom come and Your will be done”
So, what is your prayer today?
Pray that you will be found worthy of His calling; that you be complete in giving; that you have a spirit of revelation and understanding; that your love may increase more and more so that you may discern and choose excellence; that you may be filled with knowledge of God’s will; and that you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. Amen.
