Insight for Living

Bill Meyer: Most of us genuinely believe in the power of prayer, but all too often our good intentions fail us. Here's the unfiltered truth: there's a world of difference between admiring prayer and practicing it, between knowing its power and tapping into it.

Today on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindoll describes a season when Paul was miles away from the people he deeply loved. They were suffering, and he couldn't fix it. Well, Paul wasn't powerless, and neither are we. Let's discover what happens when ordinary believers petition God on behalf of those we love.

Chuck Swindoll: Second Thessalonians chapter 1, we find the apostle Paul praying for these people. He really loved them. It's hard to pray for someone you don't love. Love really helps; it kind of greases the skids. Paul is in Corinth. You may not know that. He's busily engaged with four other people in ministry: Aquila and Priscilla, a husband-wife team, Silas and Timothy. That's why he includes them in the opening salutation: "Paul, Silas, and Timothy to the church."

So, he's with Aquila and Priscilla and Silas and Timothy, and you know Corinth—fast-lane city. They're busy, they're involved, all kind of things happening. They're switching from the synagogue to the school of Tyrannus, people are growing, pressures are mounting, offense is occurring, and growth is happening. And he stops to write a letter.

He's just been to Thessalonica. So, he sends them a letter of love in the first letter, and then he hears about things that have arisen, so he sends them a second letter. In between the two letters, he's heard that the pressure has mounted. In fact, the persecution and the affliction is greater than ever. So, he tells them in verse 3 that he gives thanks to God for them, in verse 4 he speaks proudly of them, and then in verse 11 he prays for them.

Before we analyze the prayer, let's take a look at verse 11 and the word "always." He's back at First Thessalonians 5:17. He's practicing what he just wrote. "I'm praying always. To this end, we pray for you always." Don't miss the consistency of that word. I would much rather know that a person prayed for me every day than to know that he set aside an hour's time once a month. I'd do a lot better knowing I'm being upheld one minute a day than one hour a month.

It's wonderful to know that it can be spread through the day and through the month and through the year. You've raised your family, put them on your prayer list, and pray for each child. If they're married, pray for their marriage, pray for their mates, pray for their children. If you're in a situation or they're in a situation that is threatening and difficult, pray for that situation on a regular basis. I didn't want to miss the "always."

Now, there are three things he prayed for in verse 11. Maybe you've already noted them. Verse 11: "To this end, we pray always that our God may count you worthy of your calling." That's the first. Second, "We pray for you always that our God might fulfill every desire for goodness." And third, "We pray for you always that our God may fulfill every desire you have for the work of faith with power."

Some of you look at those words just like I did the first time I saw them. I thought, "Oh, big deal. This is going to be a great sermon. I can hardly wait for this one." But the more I dug into it, the more significant it became. The Bible is like that. On the surface, it may seem like a lot of religious words, but it isn't. There's depth for the searcher.

"To this end, we pray that our God may count you worthy of your calling." Let me put it in these words: I am praying that in God's estimation, you may live and act as it becomes those who have received such a high calling as you. What is their calling? Their calling is to be kingdom people, people who have been initiated into the kingdom by suffering. That's what he says in verse 5: "This is a plain indication of God's judgment, so that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God." Verse 11: "I pray that our God may count you worthy of such a calling."

I pray that God may observe your suffering and, in His estimation, find you worthy of that calling as a kingdom member. I think that is significant. Philippians 1:29 says it is not only for us to believe in Christ but also to suffer for His namesake. I emphasize that because I don't believe we inform new Christians of that truth. I think we leave a lot of them with the impression that if you'll just come to know Christ, all or most of your problems will be solved.

But the Bible doesn't teach that. The Bible says it is not only for us to believe in Him but also to suffer. I've never met a Christian who had depth who hadn't suffered. I never met a Christian who was generous who hadn't suffered. I've never met a Christian whose life really counted for Christ who didn't know suffering and hardship on a regular basis—affliction, to use the words of this passage.

Could it be that this is the fellowship of His sufferings mentioned in Philippians 3:10, "that I may know Him, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings"? Paul first prays that God would, in His estimation, find them worthy of such a calling. Are you impressed with the fact that he doesn't pray that their pain will stop? He doesn't pray that their suffering and affliction would end.

That's what we in our flesh pray for. As soon as we know someone is hurting, we pray that the hurt will stop. As soon as we discover that one of our own is going through a difficult time, we pray that they'll be relieved of it. You don't always have biblical justification for that kind of prayer. Never once in this passage or in any other in the letter does Paul pray, "Lord, take away the affliction that they're going through."

He prays, "May you see your way through it, may you grow by leaps and bounds, may the Lord look upon your response and say 'worthy.' That is a worthy member of my kingdom." Try that on the next time one of your own goes through a time of suffering. It'll change your whole perspective.

The second thing he prays for is that God may fulfill every desire for goodness. What does that mean? The word "desire" means to resolve. They had resolved, apparently, that goodness would be one of the things that would mark their lives as believers. Paul knew that what they were going through would help make that happen. So, he says, "May our God fulfill your resolve for goodness."

Goodness is so general it seems to lose its significance, but it isn't a general word. At the heart of the word, in most cases in the New Testament, there is generosity—one who has become open-handed and great-hearted. Remember what it said of Barnabas in Acts 11:24? He was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit. So, we're not surprised when you find Barnabas used mightily of God. He was a good man, great-hearted, generous.

By the way, this is a good time to ask a question. What have you resolved before God in recent days? In the old days, it wasn't uncommon for godly men and women to make statements about their philosophy of life. They would even write them down in journals: "Resolved, such and such." One great man wrote something like, "Resolved, I will do what is right, even if I'm around those who never do what is right, I will do what is right."

What is a resolve that you have placed before your God? One of theirs was apparently to become known for their goodness and generosity. Paul says, "I pray that this might help make that happen." It might be a good discipline to ask your children what their resolves are this year or during that particular period of time in their life, and pray to that end.

When things occur in their lives, pray that what is happening might help them reach their resolve. It sure does take the selfishness out of prayer. I found myself praying that our daughter's pain would go away. She went through an appendectomy. It was on her right side, and she got to where she couldn't even lift her leg. There was no trouble knowing it was related to that side. A doctor pushed as only a doctor can push and said, "Is it there?" "Yes! That's it! That's it right there!"

I went on to say in this particular book how grateful we are for pain. Some of you are going through pains in your life that you've been through before. They're not physical, but they're deep pains. You haven't learned yet, so the pains come back. It will come again and it will come again. And the physician will continue to push. "Yes, that's it." Well, you remember your resolve? This is still a problem in your life.

He prays that God would fulfill every resolve they have for goodness. And thirdly, he prays that God will fulfill their work of faith. You may remember in the first letter to the Thessalonians, he said, "I constantly bear in mind your work of faith, your labor of love and steadfastness of hope." He says here in this prayer, "I pray that your experience will fulfill your work of faith."

I find that wonderful and beautiful. They're going through this tough time, and they want to be known as people who walk by faith. Their testimony has spread throughout the region, and here they are plunged into difficulty. The average casual, superficial onlooker would say, "What a shame that they've got to suffer like that." Paul says, "How great it is, because as this life of yours is forced to depend on God, your faith will be stretched and your muscles of trust will grow, and the word will spread."

I cannot overlook that last word in verse 11: "with power." You know what the Greek word is? *Dunamis*. You know what we get from that? Dynamite. Isn't that great? It will all be done with dynamite. And when I check up on you Thessalonians, it'll be a dynamite report. Your work of faith will expand.

There is nothing predictable about the right kind of prayer. God is full of surprises. God's special and preferred way to work is to surprise us. Have you noticed that? Just about the time you think you have Him figured out, He comes in the back door and delivers there when you thought it was going to be the front door. These people don't know what God has.

Paul has the audacity to pray that they'll be worthy of their kingdom calling, that they'll realize their resolve, and that they'll become people whose walk is enhanced by the afflictions they're going through. That's gutsy praying. Never once does he say, "Take away the hurt." We want relief; God wants deepening of character. We want out; God wants us through. We want to say, "It's over"; God wants to say, "It worked." And when we pray, then it all makes sense.

Notice the purpose of it all: "In order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you." Blessed be the name of the Lord. You know what a good synonym for "name" is? Reputation. As a result of what you go through, God's reputation will be in lights. People will look back and say, "Didn't God get glory out of that? Wasn't God obvious in that action?"

I know some of you are going through some very tough times. Some of you are unfulfilled in your work; others have lost your job. Some of you find yourselves in marital situations that are unbearable; others are in physical difficulty and you can't seem to get out of it. It's threatening. Some of you are failing, either in school or at work or in your venture. You know you're failing, and you're right next to Panic Palace, just about to move in.

The only way you're going to get through it is to take it to God. Take it to Him in prayer. Do not just read about it or study about it; do it. And get specific. I find wonderful results and accomplishments as I go through this letter. You don't see them all as results of prayer, but they are.

Look at chapter 2, verse 2: "that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure." I'm sure he prayed that for them. One of the results of intercession is that we stop being shaken from our composure. Ever been shaken from your composure? Sure you have. You've gotten a hate letter. A hate letter shakes your composure, especially if it's not signed. You swear you're not going to read it and then you memorize it. You say you're not going to think about it, then you mention it to everybody you see. It's shaking your composure.

Prayer will keep you from being shaken. When you get bad stuff, pray. Give it to God. He's well able to handle it. He gets hate letters all the time, and he can handle it. He knows what it means to be misunderstood. He knows how people respond when they don't have all the facts.

Chapter 2, verse 15: "So then, brethren, stand firm, hold to the traditions which you were taught." That's a result of prayer. When I pray, I don't get shaken and I don't get loosey-goosey. I stand firm in the traditions that I have been taught. In verse 17: "Comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word." That's a result of prayer—comfort and strengthening of the heart muscles. Prayer does that. When I take it to God, my heart is stronger than it was before.

Chapter 3, verse 1: "Pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified." When you pray, the word of the Lord is spread. I can't explain how it happens; I just know that it is. The spreading of the word occurs when you pray. That's another benefit of intercession.

Verse 2: "that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith." When you pray, that results in deliverance and protection from evil. Verse 3 says, "The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." When you pray, you build a deliverance and protection system around another person.

Chapter 3, verse 16: "Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace, peace in every circumstance." Isn't it great to be around people like that? It's wonderful to find folks who live in peace in every circumstance. I usually see this among missionaries. That's one of their great qualities. Part of the reason is they're not connected to the things of this world. Most of them have put that to bed. If your circumstances become all the world to you, then you'll never have peace. If your circumstances are in the hands of the Lord, then his peace is possible. He can take them and change them and use them.

I want to give you three tips when praying for people that have worked for me. Certainly better than sitting with arms folded watching someone else fish, it's a good thing to get involved yourself.

Number one: Read the kingdom into their situation. Look at what they're going through through kingdom eyes. Suffering is part of kingdom life. That'll give you depth. You'll have pity without it; you'll get depth when you read the kingdom into a person's experience. You meet a person who's lost his job and you'll see only pity coming from you until you read kingdom into it. Press the kingdom into the unemployment.

Press the kingdom into the pain of the life. That's a second point: Reflect on the person's faith as much as you do on the pain. The pain is there, but the faith is growing. That'll give you peace. When you read the kingdom into a person's situation, you'll gain depth. When you reflect on the person's faith rather than just the pain, you'll have peace that you wouldn't otherwise have.

It helped me when I gain a real sense of peace when I saw that the pain my daughter was going through was going to be in her favor. She was going to be a stronger woman. She was going to be a better wife. She was going to be a better mother. In fact, there's an irony to it. When my wife called Cynthia's sister, Hazel, she was reminded that that's what happened in her mother's case when she was carrying Cynthia. Hazel said, "Don't you remember? Mom told us that when she was carrying you, she had an appendectomy."

It's interesting how that worked. Her mother and father hadn't told anybody that they were married, so they ran away and got married. Later on she became pregnant and then she had this appendectomy. They had to tell everything. Along with saying to her folks, "I have to have a surgery," they also said, "I'm married and also going to have a baby." There were a few other things to toss in there while they were at it.

In the whole story unfolded, Cynthia's face just lit up as she got beyond her pain. She felt connected to her mother and what she'd gone through. It's great how God does things like that.

Third: Remember the ultimate goal is glorifying God, not being happy. Our ultimate goal in life—will we ever learn it—is to glorify God, not necessarily be happy. I have no stick of dynamite to toss in your lap, but if I did, I would. Aren't you glad I don't? I'm not even sure that would get some of you to fishing. I wish it would.

Let's bow together. With your eyes closed and your heart right with God, it occurred to me recently that the only way we get into God's family is through prayer. By prayer, we invite the Lord God to invade our lives. In prayer, we acknowledge our need for a savior. In prayer, we come to the cross and we embrace Him who died for us. In prayer, we thank Him for accepting us.

We've exhorted Christians all the way through this message to pray. I want to tell you who are lost that this is the prayer God hears from you: Lord, I'm a sinner, and I come to you just as I am and I ask you to take me, save me. Wouldn't you like to do that today? You're surrounded by Christians who, if they knew your need, would just be praying for you constantly. But it may be a secret; not very many people may know you're lost. But there's no secret to God. Come to Him now.

Lord, it's as if we have been on sacred ground as we have talked and thought about prayer. It's what Your Son did the night before the cross. "Lord, if it's possible for the cup to pass from me, may it pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." And He prayed for us as well—prayed to keep us from the evil one, not to take us out of the evil world.

And so it's appropriate this day that I pray for all who hear these words that You would minister and strengthen and encourage as a special friend of ours. Thank You for hearing the prayers of the lost, for bringing them into Your kingdom. Keep them strong as they grow in Your family. And now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, strengthen you in every good work and word, and honor His name through our lives. We pray for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Bill Meyer: Chuck Swindoll has reminded us today that prayer is not passive. It's not a last resort. Prayer is the most powerful thing you'll ever do for another person and for yourself. The God who heard His Son pray for Lazarus to leave the tomb hears you as well.

You're listening to Insight for Living. We're just getting started with an eight-part series through Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. It's a series Chuck titled Steadfast Christianity.

One of Paul's overarching themes in this letter is leadership. Paul was the mentor to these young believers, just as Nehemiah was a leader to the construction crew in Jerusalem. Remember that Old Testament story? The wall around their city was nothing but rubble. After its destruction, the town was totally exposed, and the opposition was fierce. But Nehemiah had a vision, a plan, and an unshakable confidence in God. In just 52 days, the impossible got done.

Today, we'd like to send you Chuck's book, *Hand Me Another Brick*. In it, he unpacks the leadership genius of Nehemiah and shows you how those same principles can work in your church, your ministry, and your life today. It's our gift to you when you support Insight for Living with a generous donation. You'll find us online at insight.org/donate. Or you can request the book in a letter by sending a donation to Insight for Living, Post Office Box 5000, Frisco, Texas, 75034.

In addition to Chuck's book, *Hand Me Another Brick*, both Searching the Scriptures Bible study workbooks for First and Second Thessalonians are available for purchase. These are spiral-bound, designed to lay flat on your lap or on the table where you can easily take notes as you read through Paul's two letters. To have them sent to your home, call us at 800-772-8888 or go online to insight.org/offer.

I'm Bill Meyer. Join us when Chuck Swindoll brings his trademark clarity to one of the Bible's most prophetic chapters, Thursday on Insight for Living.