Bible Truth #363 - 2 Thessalonians 3:1

2 Thessalonians 3:1

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;

Why would Paul ask the Thessalonians to pray for him that the word of the Lord would spread rapidly if God had nothing to do with it? Why would prayer be needed if it was almighty man’s “free will” that determined whether the word of the Lord would spread rapidly? If God does not interfere with man’s autonomy and “free will” why is Paul asking the Thessalonians to pray for them?

Paul is not asking the Thessalonians to pray for the people to whom he is currently preaching, nor is he asking for prayer for the rulers, either governmental or religious, that God’s Word would spread rapidly and be glorified. Paul understood the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men and in his prayer request was simply applying the principle “God causes the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Paul was asking for prayer for a number of reasons, among which I’m sure were that his flesh would not be a hindrance, and that God would open doors and allow him to preach freely - as He did in Troas (2 Corinthians 2:12) or when Paul was prevented from going into areas to preach as what happened when he tried to go to the Province of Asia, Mysia, and Bithynia (Acts 16:6-7). Not only does God save who He wants to save, He decided who will even have the opportunity to hear the Gospel because He determines the time and place for every man to live (Acts 17:26). Some have gone their entire lives without hearing the Gospel and it is because of when and where God appointed their birth. Where is THEIR opportunity to be saved? Or where is the opportunity for infants or the mentally infirm to be saved? But I digress, that’s another topic (Bible Truth #319).

This also brings to mind the time when Jesus told His disciples “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38) Is this not exactly what Paul is asking of the Thessalonians? He and his companions were the workers for the Lord of the harvest.

The bottom line is that Paul was asking for prayer for himself and his companions, i.e. the workers sent into the harvest, and NOT the harvest