2 Thessalonians 3:1. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”
FREE COURSE. When God’s Word is let loose to do what He wants, there is evidence there that’s unique. The brethren who pray that the message men preach know that there are many who seek. And the truths that they want when clearly known and presented by those who preach; Can, by the prayers that are made and the words that are said, go to those God intended to reach.
When liberty is real, the emotions we feel are able to be expressed without fear. Those who listen at first, with skeptical looks, come to sense that what they’re hearing is true. Someone else, somewhere, has knelt down in prayer to lay hold of the Father for you. Then the word of the Lord, when used like a sword, will, in power, bring life anew.
The light of the word, in the power of the Lord, is able to be glorified. The prayers of the saints that are made - full of faith bring results that are seen far and wide. It’s the fellowship in prayer and preachers that go there that makes the listeners unable to hide; From the Spirit so holy, and the witnesses who boldly proclaim the whole counsel of God.
The proof is there to be seen by the ones who have been to the places where God is at work. And the word of the Lord and its message, so true, brings true light to those in the dark. It is glorified, then, in women and men who have obeyed the truth from the heart. Where before there was hate and spiritual need great, now there’s the peace that God does impart.
Now – whenever you pray, let none ever say, “My prayers don’t mean very much.” When the word has free course, and the workers are supported by those who daily the throne of God touch; There is grace to make real the burdens we feel, and relief that the Lord honors such Faith that lays claim on souls in Christ’s name: He answers the prayers of those who will trust.“ “O prayer-answering God: I do pray now that here in this place, Thy word will have free course and be glorified. And I pray that my brothers and sisters who are making Christ known will be able to be assured that I, and others, are praying for them and the word of the Lord that they present to the people. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
In these days of advancing apostasy, all of us need to be committed to being loyal to the Lord. We need the strength and help of God in the outreach of the Gospel to the world. Our prayer should be that the blessed influence of the Gospel would spread rapidly over the world and be effective in bringing forgiveness of sins and peace to those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. We are not called to change the world but to make disciples. They, in turn, do the same thing, and God’s grace changes individual people into people who live effective lives that give the sanctifying effect of righteousness wherever it is accepted.
Those who preach the message of the Gospel are particularly open to attack from those who oppose it. Paul asked for prayer that the Lord would do in other places the same as the Gospel had done in Thessalonica. In order for that to be done here, we need to know what the word of God says and means. This happens as a result of studying and memorizing the scripture, so we are ready to defend and promote the Gospel. We need to learn from those who teach and speak the truth, and we need to practice personally what we learn and pass it on to others.