Visiting the “field” of 2 Thessalonians 3 gives us a few prayer seeds that would be great to plant in our hearts on a Monday.
Some of us listened yesterday with open Bibles and eager hearts as the word of the Lord was preached and taught.
Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us… (3:1)
Let’s pray for those who diligently prepared and faithfully shared the word of the Lord with us. They poured out their hearts for our good and God’s glory in pulpits, classrooms, and living rooms around the world. Many have already started to prepare for next Sunday. What a blessing!
Some of us did the preaching and teaching yesterday and it was our blessed privilege to point people to their Creator and his Word, not to ourselves.
May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (3:5)
Let’s pray today for those who came in contact with the living and abiding word of God yesterday. Let’s pray that the implanted word would sink deeper and deeper into good and honest hearts. Let’s remember that neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Having done our best, let’s trust that the word of the Lord will not return to him empty, but will accomplish exactly what he has purposed. It’s all about him and those who need him, not about us.
Let’s all thank God today for the impact his word has had on our past, present, and future. And then, let’s do more.
Finally, brothers and sisters, pray… that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you… (3:1)
Let’s pray that coworkers would be receptive to the word of the Lord–the same word that has changed our lives. Let’s pray that God’s will would be honored among friends who don’t even yet know he is their greatest need. Let’s pray for neighbors to experience the steadfast love, mercy, and grace that has given us joy, peace, and hope surpassing all human understanding. By all means, let’s appreciate what God has done for us; let’s be so appreciative that we pray for more and more to share in the same abundant blessings. As someone whose life has been changed for the better by God, who can you pray for by name today?
For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against evil. (3:3)
So why wouldn’t we direct our hearts in prayer to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ on Monday?