Friday after Populus Sion, The Second Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 10, 2021 by under
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NKJV)
3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Devotion
Paul has many instructions on what to pray for, and how. In this case, he tells the Thessalonians to “pray for us,” for him and his missionary companions, that the Word of God may run swiftly and be glorified. May God’s Word run swiftly and be glorified also among us!
Secondarily, Paul wants them to pray that he and his companions be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. Of course, we know that even when Paul was in chains, the Gospel itself was not in chains (2 Tim. 2:9). Although the consequences of his ministry would lead to his imprisonment, trial, and martyrdom, Paul still expresses confidence that the Thessalonians both were doing, and would continue to do, the things that he was telling them to do.
When we face physical danger or risk may we also find it in ourselves, with God’s help, to think of others before ourselves. May we always pray for God’s Word to run freely, despite the chains the world would throw upon it. Lord, help us to trust that You are our Creator, and that the world only continues because You allow it to. Remind us that Your Son will come again soon, to judge the living and the dead, and make us faithfully await that day as a bride-to-be awaits her wedding day.
Prayer: Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of Thine only-begotten Son, so that by His coming we may be enabled to serve Thee with pure minds; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Advent: Stir up, we beseech Thee, Thy power, O Lord, and come, that by Thy protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Thy mighty deliverance; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
