Prayer for the Persecuted

Paul writes to the persecuted believers in Thessalonica. Remember that he was thrown out of the city after just three weeks? Evidently, things didn't get better for the believers after he left, but worse.

He encourages them in the first verses, reminding them that they are suffering like other believers and that God will hold their persecutors accountable.

Although most of us will not face persecution for our belief, we do have struggles and challenges through our lives.

Look how Paul prays for these struggling believers:

"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" (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

He did not pray that they would be relieved of the persecution.

He did not pray for vengeance.

He did not pray that there would be a change in the government so that they could worship in freedom.

He did not pray that the Christians would become the majority and take over the city.

He prayed that God would refine them, make them worthy of His calling. Make them to look and live like children of God, which they were.

He prayed that God would accomplish His will in their lives. That God would bring about good in the midst of trouble. That God would fulfill His plan by His power.

Why?

So that the name of Jesus would be glorified, made to look big, in them. That they would see the greatness of Jesus. That they would see His work in their lives in the midst of persecution.

And that the believers would be glorified in Him. Not made to look great in the world's eyes, but that the promise of eternal glory would be realized in the believer. That they would remember that this light affliction is nothing in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that awaits them.

What does your prayer life look like for those brothers and sisters who are going through struggles?

Relief from pain?

More money in the bank?

Smooth sailing?

How about praying that God would work out His plan in their lives for His glory and their good?