Saturday 4th October
Read 2 Thessalonians 1:11
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” (NIVUK)
A stunning prayer. Or two prayers actually. Imagine praying that others will be made worthy of God’s calling and that their good instincts bear fruit. Inherent in the prayer are a number of truths worth pondering.
First, we are called unworthy. There is nothing worthy in us, nothing that would demand God be gracious. God’s call is entirely unwarranted. Yet in response to that call we aspire to close the gap between our weakness and His majesty. Even our response, our desire to be found worthy, requires God’s grace. Seeking to become worthy in our own strength is foolishness. Hence the prayer.
Second, His calling changes our desires. No longer do we look to what we can get out of those around us. Our inward selfishness is turned outward in faith-prompted goodness. We increasingly consider the well-being of those around us and how we can help.
Third, this is not an instantaneous process. We are not the finished product the moment we turn to Jesus in faith. This is Paul’s second letter after all! Those desires must be fanned into flame through prayer.
Who are you going to pray for today?
