Young Adults' Group

Brethren, Pray For Us

by Pastor Mark
October 06, 2016

The importance of prayer

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of prayer in his life and ministry. He had sought to cultivate a close relationship with God so that he may seek Him in prayer in facing the challenges of life and ministry. He understood that if he did not seek God in prayer, he would not be able to live his life according to His ways. Only through prayer did Paul become an effective servant of the Lord. Let us truly appreciate the importance of prayer as Paul did.

The call for prayer support

Paul also sought the prayer support of the churches such as the Thessalonian church, “Finally, brethren, pray for us,” (2 Thess 3:1) The word “pray” is written in the “present imperative”. Not that Paul was commanding the people to pray but that he gave a humble entreaty for the church to pray for him and his fellow workers.

Praying for each other as brethren

The people should respond in prayer for Paul as they were “brethren”. Paul considered them as “brothers”. For the sake of our fellow brethren, we should pray. What happens to them should matter to us. When we hear of someone’s call for prayer support, how should we respond? Let us be challenged to pray for each other as brethren.

The purpose for the call to pray

Paul used the Greek word “hina” which means “that” to indicate his purpose in calling the brethren to pray for him. In fact, he used it twice. This reflects great purpose in prayer.

1. The ministry of the word of God

“that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2 Thess 3:1)

Paul’s purpose for the call to pray was with regards to the ministry of the word. The ministry that Paul had at Thessalonica turned out to be good. The word of God was well received (1 Thess 2:13) and had been a blessing to the people. But there were other places in which the ministry of the word did not turn out as well. That is why Paul asked for prayer support for the purpose that the word of God would run swiftly…for the word to spread well and effectively. This would bring about glory to the Lord.

Next week, the pastoral team and others from Bethany will be going over to India to celebrate the 13th anniversary of Kirubi IPC and the 27th Anniversary of IPC India. We thank God for the ministry of the word over all these years. Yet there are many more people who need to be reached out to. Please pray for us and our Indian Pastors with the purpose that the word of God preached will run swiftly and will bring glory to the Lord.

2. The deliverance of God

“and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.” (2 Thess 3:2)

Another purpose that Paul had for asking for prayer support was about the challenges of ministry. He highlighted the problem of wicked men who would go against him and his fellow servants.  He asked for the brethren to pray for his deliverance from such men and from other dangers. The work of missions such as in India is not without its challenges and opposition. Let us pray that we would be delivered from all possible dangers. Please pray that the Lord will continue to bless and protect IPC India for the years ahead. Please pray for the Singapore contingent…for grace as we minister and for journey mercies as we travel. Let us be challenged to pray for each other as brethren with a great sense of purpose. Pray for us.

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