In View of This
Start With What God Is Already Doing
SCRIPTURE:
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 CSB - In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
OBSERVATION:
Have you ever struggled with how to pray for others? I don’t mean praying for their needs (this is important), but really praying and interceding that God would work in them, more than just providing for their needs.
Paul gives us a list of things to pray for, but before listing them, he takes time to give thanks by reminding us of what God has been doing. Paul says, “In view of this.”
He began by saying, “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters.” This is a great way to deepen our prayers for others. Acknowledge God’s work in them.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB - We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.
Next, Paul says, “we ourselves boast you among the churches.” This is a concept we struggle with. Let’s admit it; we struggle to sing the praises of others. We would rather sing the praises of ourselves. Paul said in Philippians to “esteem others higher than yourselves.”
2 Thessalonians 1:4 CSB - Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches -- about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.
Lastly, Paul says, “It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy.” As we acknowledge God’s work in them, sing their praise to God, and give thanks for the evidence that God is working in them (even if it is in a small way), HE sees them counted worthy of God’s Kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 CSB - It is clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
APPLICATION:
The key to truly praying for others is to begin by acknowledging what God is doing. Then, as Paul does, he gets to the heart of the matter.
Pray that:
In light of all that God is doing, we can pray for others that God would move in even greater ways.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You that You prayed for us and still do, that we would be strong in You. Thank You for interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. Help us pray for others in the same way. Even if we don’t see much fruit, help us see what You are doing, and direct us to pray as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 CSB - In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
OBSERVATION:
Have you ever struggled with how to pray for others? I don’t mean praying for their needs (this is important), but really praying and interceding that God would work in them, more than just providing for their needs.
Paul gives us a list of things to pray for, but before listing them, he takes time to give thanks by reminding us of what God has been doing. Paul says, “In view of this.”
He began by saying, “We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters.” This is a great way to deepen our prayers for others. Acknowledge God’s work in them.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 CSB - We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.
Next, Paul says, “we ourselves boast you among the churches.” This is a concept we struggle with. Let’s admit it; we struggle to sing the praises of others. We would rather sing the praises of ourselves. Paul said in Philippians to “esteem others higher than yourselves.”
2 Thessalonians 1:4 CSB - Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God's churches -- about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.
Lastly, Paul says, “It is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy.” As we acknowledge God’s work in them, sing their praise to God, and give thanks for the evidence that God is working in them (even if it is in a small way), HE sees them counted worthy of God’s Kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 CSB - It is clear evidence of God's righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom, for which you also are suffering,
APPLICATION:
The key to truly praying for others is to begin by acknowledging what God is doing. Then, as Paul does, he gets to the heart of the matter.
Pray that:
- God will make you worthy of His calling.
- By His power, fulfill your every desire to do good and the work your faith produces.
- So that you will glorify the name of our Lord Jesus, and you by him.
- All in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In light of all that God is doing, we can pray for others that God would move in even greater ways.
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You that You prayed for us and still do, that we would be strong in You. Thank You for interceding for us at the right hand of the Father. Help us pray for others in the same way. Even if we don’t see much fruit, help us see what You are doing, and direct us to pray as Paul prayed for the Thessalonians.
The secret to praying powerfully for others is to begin not with their needs but with grateful acknowledgment of what God is already doing in them.
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