As the third chapter of 2 Thessalonians begins, Paul shifts topics. He states “finally” to get the reader's attention and mark the transition to a new theme. Here, Paul is requesting prayer for himself and the missionary team and expresses his own confident prayers regarding God’s work in the lives of the Thessalonian believers. Paul is entirely gospel focused in these verses. Following the example laid out in the text, we find we ought to pray confidently that the gospel will be effective. However, this can be difficult to understand. How do we pray for the gospel to be effective? In these verses Paul gives us five ways to do so. 

1. In the proclamation of God’s word (2 Thess 3:1)

In this verse, Paul is making two requests. First, that Thessalonian believers pray the Word of the Lord would spread rapidly (“free course” literally means “to run ahead”). It is his desire that the word of the Lord advances to many cities and people. But what is “the word of the Lord”? Simply put, it’s the gospel. It was not Paul’s message, but rather the message of who God is (c.f., Gal 1:9-10). Second, Paul asks for prayer that God’s Word would be glorified. He asks that it would be honored and obeyed by all who hear it. For example, Paul refers to the Thessalonians and how they had glorified God’s word. They had obeyed the gospel by believing and responding to Christ’s work on the cross. Knowing how they responded and continued to seek God’s Word, Paul asks that they should pray for others who hear it and respond in a similar fashion. Are you concerned for the proclamation of God’s Word? God does not call us to pray as an empty ritual, but because He hears us and responds according to His will. Therefore, we can pray for the gospel to be effective in the proclamation of God’s word. 

2. In the confrontation of sinners. (2 Thess 3:2)

Paul knows it is unavoidable that in proclaiming the gospel, he will be faced with faithless persecutors (1 Peter 4:12). So, Paul asks the Thessalonians to pray that the missionary team would be delivered from those who will show animosity towards them. These individuals have been confronted about their sin and need Jesus Christ, but have rejected Him. Paul simply desires that those who don’t believe would not later become an obstacle to their preaching. It is inevitable that someone be offended in the preaching of sin and salvation, but that wasn’t going to stop Paul from preaching to everyone he could. This is, again, a prayer that the gospel would be effective and nothing would stand in the way of the truth. We must pray, that as sinners are confronted, those that reject Christ would not prevent the spread of the gospel. 

3. In the protection of believers. (2 Thess 3:3)

We fight a spiritual battle. The reality is we are not at war against anything or anyone in the physical realm. In v. 3, Paul turns his attention to the Thessalonian and prays that they would be kept from “evil”. This is not merely evil deeds, but rather Satan himself and his work. Paul recognizes that believers are not safe from Satan’s attacks on their own. It is the Lord who will bring about safety. God establishes us, grounding us like the firm foundation of a house so we can withstand the attacks from the devil. We are established by God because of the gospel – specifically because of His work on the cross. Therefore, we can pray with confidence that God would work in us. We can pray for the gospel to be effective by praying for the continued protection for those who have accepted Christ as Savior. 

4. In the obedience of believers (2 Thess 3:4) 

While this is more of a statement than a prayer, it is a statement of confidence. There are two aspects to Paul’s confidence. First is a present aspect that the Thessalonians are already doing what they’ve been taught. As discussed in previous chapters, obedience is a result of heart change, not a means of achieving it. Paul knows the Thessalonians have trusted Christ because he has seen the evidence presently. Second is a future aspect that Paul is confident they will continue to obey the instructions of Paul and other spiritual leaders. Our prayer, as it was Paul’s confidence, should be that we would continue to do the Word of the Lord. This work is done in us every day by the gospel. We have been made new to do good (Eph 2:10). Once more, because of the gospel we are given the grace we need to live lives that glorify our Father. We can pray for the gospel to be effective by praying to make us obedient disciples as we grow in the Lord. 

5. In the directing of believers (2 Thess 3:5)

Now, we pray for our own hearts that we would be led to God’s love and Christ’s endurance. We can only experience God’s love and patience if our hearts are grounded in the Lord. We cannot hope to love others if we are not directed by God into the love of God. Furthermore, we cannot grow because of our own discipline or ingenuity. We grow because God works in us to bring us closer to Himself. He directs out hearts to His love and endurance by His rich grace in Jesus. Pray for the gospel to be effective by praying He work in your own heart in this way. 

Paul makes it clear in these verses there is much to pray about to ensure the gospel is effective. He outlines praying for the proclamation of God’s word, confronting sinners, protection of believers, obedience of believers, and the directing of believers. Pray like this, for the gospel to be effective – and pray so with confidence. God is working and we can rest assured that He will answer our prayers in these matters.  

Questions for Discussion

1. Read v. 1. What kinds of people proclaim the gospel? Do you pray for those people? If so, what should you pray?
2.  Read v. 3. How does the gospel protect us from Satan’s attacks?
3. Read v. 4-5. What does it mean to be established in good works? How can you become established in obedience to God’s Word?