Daily Devotional | Paul's Prayer for Them

What does it mean for Christ to be glorified in us? The great English preacher Charles Spurgeon answered: “Even now His saints glorify Him. When they walk in holiness they do, as it were, reflect His light. Their holy deeds are beams from Him who is the Sun of Righteousness... Still the unformed clay is only in part seen and much remains to be done. How much more of the great Potter’s creating wisdom and sanctifying power will be displayed when we shall be the perfect products of His hand!”

This was Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Verse 11 focuses on the process of salvation, or sanctification. First, Paul prayed that God would make them worthy of His calling. Second, he prayed that God’s power would “bring to fruition” or give success in “your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” that is, good works. These are the ways in which believers grow and mature. Neither of these two prayers was in doubt— both were as good as answered. In that case, why pray? One reason is that God commands such prayers, especially for desires within His will. Prayer is part of what makes them happen. In addition, believers are encouraged to know that their brothers and sisters in Christ are lifting them up to the Father.

Verse 12 focuses on the product of salvation, or glorification: Paul knew that in the fulfillment of these prayers the name of Christ - “name” indicates the totality of His Person—would be glorified in the Thessalonians, and the Thessalonians in Christ. The former means that Christ would receive glory due to His work in their lives; the latter means that because they’re united with Christ they would share in His glory. The same is true for us—all by grace!

>> How’s your prayer life? We asked this question back on May 2 as well. Does your daily prayer list include God’s promises about salvation? If not, why not add them?

Pray with Us

Father, as we soak our minds in your Word, help us recognize your promises about salvation. We lay claim to the things you have promised, and we thank you that you guarantee sanctification and glorification for your children.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.