I’M COUNTING ON YOU
Joel Logan – Pastor, Sweet Springs Baptist Church, Ardmore, AL
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2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
Ephesians 6:1, be strong in the Lord
Philippians 3:1, rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:8, think on these things
2 Corinthians 13:11, farewell…be perfect
2 Thessalonians 3:1, pray for us
2 important truths about prayer:
(1) We can all find employment in the work of prayer (Luke 2:36; Colossians 4:2).
(2) The focus of our prayers ought to be for others (2 Corinthians 1:11).
What we’re instructed to pray for in the passage:
1. Pray for laborers (for us, v. 1).
For more laborers to go, Matthew 9:35-37
For laborers to continue, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
“Praying for your pastor will help you love him.”
“The world is not going to pray for missionaries.”
2. Pray for freedom to minister (that the word of the Lord may have free course, v. 1).
The open doors of Acts 16:13-14; Acts 19:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:9 have to be the result of this kind of prayer.
“We as Americans like to knock down doors with money. We as Christians need to learn to knock down doors with prayer.”
3. Pray that the ministry would be fruitful (and be glorified, v. 1).
The establishment of the church at Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9) has to be due to this kind of prayer.
“We will be fruitful so long as we stay true to the word of God.”
4. Pray for deliverance from unreasonable and wicked men (v. 2).
“People are unreasonable because they are proud.”
