The Friday after Populus Sion Sunday, the Second Sunday in Advent
Posted on December 12, 2025 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 and his fellow ministers faced much persecution in their travels. As we read in the Acts of the Apostles, it seems that they encountered opposition to the Word everywhere they went—even from those professed to be God’s people. For this reason Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him and his companions. In order for the Word to run swiftly in their ministry, they needed the blessing and protection of God.
Pastors today need our prayers too. Every pastor, in his ministry, will encounter opposition to the Word. Sometimes it will be from those outside the church walls, but too often it is from those on the inside. Not all have faith, and so some cause trouble for faithful pastors who proclaim the pure Word of God.
Paul assures us that God will answer these prayers. He will protect his ministers and glorify His Word, just as He promised; since “the Lord is faithful.” Moreover, when God preserves pastors and upholds His Word, all the saints are benefited! Through the preaching of faithful men we are established by God (as Paul says) and guarded from the evil one. May God grant us confidence in His faithfulness, that He will do this very thing for us and for our pastors, just as He did for Paul and the Thessalonians.
Collect: 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
