Friday 17th October
2 Thessalonians 3:1
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured, just as it was with you.” (NIVUK)
One wonders what the ‘other matters’ were? Perhaps there was an enquiry as to the welfare of Paul and his companions? Perhaps a query about the progress of the gospel in areas that had not yet heard?
Maybe it is as simple as – Jesus has not returned yet, so stand firm, hold fast to the gospel, do good and speak well and above all pray. Pray that the word you responded to and have honoured with your lives would have the same effect in the lives of many others. Pray that the kingdom will speed forward.
There are a lot of superhero movies in the last twenty years. There are strong heroes who can stand still and their power radiates out from them in waves that ripple through space and time. I can’t help but picture Paul being pushed out further and further by the superhero church of the Thessalonians. They stand there, unmoving, solid and secure and their prayers move out like shockwaves, strengthening Paul and his companions, and carrying the powerful message of the gospel. They are unmovable, but their prayers fly out rapidly.
For Paul, those prayers are an essential part of the ‘other matters’ he wishes for them to engage with. Sometimes our prayers are a little insipid compared with what Paul called for from the Thessalonians.
