READING: Jeremiah 1:1-4:4, 2 Thessalonians 1-3
I am deeply grateful for the Lord’s calling to preach His Word. I don’t understand why He calls any of us to proclaim His truth, but He does. And, somehow, He takes His Word, uses it to convict through the work of the Spirit, and draws people to Himself. Everyone I know who serves in ministry longs for God to work mightily through his efforts—and we long for Him to work now.
Such was the request of the apostle Paul as he wrote to the Thessalonians, “Pray for us that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you” (2 Thess 3:1). The apostle simply yearned for God’s Word to spread rapidly—not unlike a runner running a race with swiftness—and to find hearts ready to honor that Word through their obedient response to it. His request was that through the prayers of His people, God would remove any hindrances to the spread of the gospel. That Good News would thus find receptive hearts among the nations.
I think about my missionary friends around the world today, and I can’t help but sense their hearts beating for the same thing Paul wanted. They are giving their lives for the sake of the gospel. They have moved their families across the ocean, often to dangerous, unreached places. They go because they believe in the saving power of the gospel, and they deeply desire that others would turn to Christ . . . rapidly, even.
It is right for us to pray for that alongside them.
PRAYER: “Father, may your Word spread rapidly among unreached peoples today. Encourage missionaries by making Your name known.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: If you know particular missionaries, pray for them by name today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 4:5-6:30, 1 Timothy 1
