“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11)
God’s purpose for His people is infinitely wise and gracious, which is why the apostle refers to it as “the good pleasure of His goodness,” (2 Thess. 1:11). No matter what comes our way then, it is incumbent on us as believers to trust God’s goodness in it (Gen. 50:20, Rom. 8:28) and to submit willingly to it. Because we cannot see life from God’s vantagepoint, we tend to pray for temporary benefits regarding our circumstances. We pray for the continuance of life, the prolonging or restoration of our health, and other things which we deem important, though temporary. At the same time, we are not discerning enough to know what is truly best for us and our spiritual good. Our goal as we grow in prayer should be to conform our desires to the will and purpose of God. Of this we can be certain – we can pray with confidence when our prayers align with God’s precepts. Whatever God commands us to do, we may with boldness go to Him for strength to perform it. God commanded David to keep His precepts diligently. David takes hold of this, and cries out, “O that my ways were directed that I might keep thy statutes!” (Ps. 119:4-5). For example, God requires that we love and fear Him, so we may without presumption ask Him to increase our love for Him and put His fear in our hearts that we may not stray from Him. In addition to following His precepts, God also expects that we claim His promises in prayer, especially those promises pertaining to spiritual and everlasting blessings. We are to align with these “great and precious promises,” in order that “by them we may be made partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust,” (2 Peter 1:4). Nathaniel Vincent said, “What can the Lord promise more than He does? “The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will he withhold from them that walk upright,” (Ps. 84:11). When we entreat Him to make good on His promises, in effect we entreat Him to glorify His power and love, His truth and faithfulness through Jesus Christ, in the power of the Spirit, in us who believe.” The Westminster Larger Catechism states in question 178, “What is prayer? Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies (Ps. 32:5-6, 62:8; John 16:23; Rom. 8:26; Dan. 9:4; Phil. 4:6).” We are always to pray in the name of Christ and the power of the Spirit, for what name… what power… is greater? “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you,” (John 16:23). When we apprehend the mediation of Christ in our prayers, we can rest assured we have the ear of God (1 John 5:14-15). And what does it mean to pray in the name of Christ? It is to pray in obedience to His precepts and with faith in His promises, to ask mercy for His sake. It is not the mere mention of His name, but the drawing of our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from the name sake of Christ and His mediation for our good.- Lord, I know that I am to pray in the name of Your Son because of my sinfulness. The sinfulness of man and his distance from You is so great that we have no access into Your presence without a Mediator. There is no other Mediator in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work of answering my prayers but Christ alone.
- Lord, will You send Your Spirit in great abundance to me that I might be able to pray more effectively? I am not wise enough to pray for things as I should. The Spirit helps me understand how to pray. He works in me to provide those graces which are needed that I might perform the duty of prayer acceptably before You. How I need His help in this!
- I am often overwhelmed with things I need to pray for, Lord. I know Your Word teaches me the proper way to pray and what things I should pray for. You direct me to pray for the whole church of Christ on earth, for those in authority like presidents, kings, and ministers, for myself, my brethren, and even my enemies. Above all, I am to pray for all that regards Your glory. Help me not forget those things I need to pray for as I come before You in my personal devotions that I may be faithful in them daily.
