Paul’s Prayer Request

“Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.”

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NASB 95

Christianity has no shortage of great men and women, and the apostle Paul was certainly one of them. We know him today as a great apostle, missionary, and teacher. However, he also knew the importance of prayer, which empowered his endeavors. While Paul often describes praying for others, he was not above requesting his own prayer needs. This reflects a variety of things, such as humility and dependence on the Lord. What exactly did Paul ask for prayer for? In his second letter to the Thessalonians, we discover two specific prayer requests.

As Paul begins to draw his second letter to the Thessalonians to a close, he exhorts them to pray for him along with Silvanus and Timothy (see 2 Thessalonians 1:1). Even while asking for his own prayer needs, Paul cannot help but think of others. May we do the same. Here we learn that Paul knew that, although gifted by the Lord, he was still insufficient for the work the Lord had for him. He knows that the work of ministry is empowered by the prayers of other believers. Paul uses the plural of “brethren,” adelphói, to indicate the need for all the church to be unified in prayer.

“When alone with God do you remember to pray for Christ’s under-shepherds who seek to care for His flock? Many of God’s people cannot preach, or teach, or travel abroad to take the Word to distant lands; but all can pray.”[1]

In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2, Paul first requests that prayer be made regarding the mission of the word of the Lord. He desires that it spread quickly and be glorified. To spread rapidly (tréchō) is a metaphor reflecting someone running unhindered throughout the world. The word also needs to be glorified (doxázō) or honored due to its worth. Second, Paul requests prayer that as the missionaries spread God’s Word, they would be delivered from their enemies. There never has or will be a shortage of enemies when God’s Word is shared. These particular enemies were unreasonable for rejecting the truth of God’s Word.

“Spread abroad, O mighty Word,

telling of a gracious Lord;

Speed the progress of Thy grace,

run to every land and race.”[2]

Just as we are to pray for others, so too must we ask for prayer from others. Paul’s prayer request reminds us to pray for spiritual matters, not just for physical needs. Today, we too need to pray for those who share the gospel as Satan opposes them till this very day. May the Lord’s Word spread unhindered until the day of the Lord’s glorious return!

Lord, thank you for reminding me that it is okay to ask for prayer. Living the Christian life and serving the Lord is too great for me to do on my own and in my own limited strength. May your Word spread, and those who spread it be delivered from all attacks. Amen.

[1] H.A. Ironside. 1 & 2 Thessalonians Expository Commentary, pg. 110-111.

[2] J. F. Bahnmaier. Spread, O spread, thou mighty word.