READING:
One-year plan: Jeremiah 1-4, 2 Thessalonians 3
Two-year plan: 2 Kings 1:1-2:12, John 8:30-47\
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I love missionaries not only for their commitment to go to the nations, but also for their deep desire to see God work among the people they serve. More than once, I’ve wept with missionaries who longed to see just one life changed through their ministry – and who, at the same time, prayed regularly that God’s Word would soon spread rapidly in the region where they live. They want to see one life changed soon, but they also want to see many lives changed quickly.
The request of the apostle Paul in today’s reading was similar, “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 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. The Good News would thus find receptive hearts among the nations.
Missionaries 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 alongside them for that to happen.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you regularly praying for missionaries?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, may Your Word spread rapidly!”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Jeremiah 5-7, 1 Timothy 1-2
Two-year plan: 2 Kings 2:13-3:27, John 8:48-59
*some portions first published in 2021