2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Do you ever wonder if anyone is praying for you as you go about your day? My mother faithfully prayed for me when I was in my early twenty’s and told me so. Her faithful prayers for me bore fruit and helped influence my life with a stronger faith in the Lord. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were prayer warriors for the believers in Thessalonica and other cities. They were in collaboration for the cause of Christ. They had an alliance, a partnership, in their joint effort of furthering God’s kingdom and doing what is right and good as Christ would. Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9, “And so from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Use this verse to pray into the lives of your loved ones.
Who has been laid on your heart to pray that they will be considered worthy (Greek: Axios) of God’s calling upon their life in reflecting God’s character, “of the Christian walk as it should be (W.E. Vine. An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).” Paul describes in Ephesians 4:1-3 what this walk should look like in glorifying Jesus in us and us in Him. “I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” That says, in a nutshell, what our Christian walk should look like. Which is the most challenging to you – humility, gentleness, or patience?
We all have those circumstances in life in relationships with others that trip us up. So if I am obeying and living out the calling of God upon my life, making me worthy (Greek, kataxioo) of the kingdom of God (1 Thess. 1:5), how am I making God visible in my connections? Self-control must be engaged to fight off triggers that are like kryptonite to our influence upon others. We must be aware daily what encounters are hijacking us emotionally. Being a solution-based thinker based on our identity in Christ needs to be present in our emotions. What are the triggers that trip you up?
The Message puts it this way, “Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time – pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master. Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.” That is the answer. That is the key. Pray that God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be and do and make you worthy of the kingdom of God. Fully listen when you are interrupted. Then ask questions as Jesus did in collaboration for what is right and good so you can properly pray God’s purpose will be accomplished in those we love, and for oneself in living holy lives moment by moment. Remember, Jesus is present, and gives protection and provision. Honor His name. Don’t miss it.
Listen to Jon Reddick – God Turn It Around (feat. Matt Maher) [Official music video]. 7/30/2021.