As partners in ministry with our team, you may ask, “How can I pray specifically for the church leaders and community members being served through our efforts?” Individuals like Emily who shared her testimony recently of coming to Christ through participation in the Abundant Life Program.

The apostle Paul provides a wonderful template in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12, as you pray for Emily, your friends and family, and your own spiritual growth.

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, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul prays for two “means”, worthy walk and joyful service, leading to the “end” of glorifying Christ, which is the chief aim of man.

 Behavior Consistent with our Identity in Christ

“that our God may make you worthy of his calling”

 God takes sinners, worthy only of death (Rom. 1:32), and makes them worthy of His kingdom by imputing Christ’s positional righteousness to them (2 Cor. 5:21). However, Paul prayed that, beyond that amazing gift of grace, the Thessalonians would also prove worthy in practical righteousness through the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.

Delight in Serving the Lord

“and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power”

Emphasizing the contrast between guilt-induced duty and the inner delight that should characterize a Christian’s service, the late J. B. Lightfoot translated the phrase “delight in well-doing” as believers serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2).

As we become more like Christ through a worthy walk and joyful service, we become more deserving to bear His name, and he is glorified.

May that be our prayer for own lives and the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe today.