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"I pray that you may prosper..."

Text: 3 John 2

DIFFERENT THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT

It is natural to pray to God about different things. John’s prayer for Gaius offers interesting insights.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things
And be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
3 John 2

1. Three common but different matters

a) The issue of success in work.

b) The issue of health.

c) The issue of the soul.

John certainly had all three matters in mind even as he prayed for Gaius, a beloved brother in Christ.

2. “I pray that you may prosper in all things”

a) Is it all right to pray that people may prosper in their work.

b) The short answer is “yes!”.

3. Praying for “our daily bread”

a) This was briefly mentioned by Jesus in His famous teaching called “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matthew 6:8-13).

b) But Jesus did not elaborate on what He meant when He mentioned that we should pray for “daily bread”.

4. John’s prayer for Gaius’ prosperity

a) This must not be understood as an endorsement to what is commonly known as “the prosperity gospel”.

b) What John’s prayer implied: –

i) That God would provide for Gaius.

ii) That God would provide amply for him.

iii) John did not pray that Gaius would become a wealthy person.

c) The word “prosperity” simply means: –

i) To do well in all he does.

ii) The word translated as “prosperity” does not mean “wealth” or “riches”.

d) “In all things”

i) We are reminded of Psalm 1:3.

ii) The idea of prospering must be closely linked to being a righteous man and reading the Lord’s word diligently.