Scripture to Read: 2 Thessalonians 3:2
God leads our lives each day because His Holy Spirit dwells in us. God never promised us that this life would be easy, or that we would never face persecution. God has told us throughout His Word that we should not be surprised when trials come (1 Peter 4:12) and that when those trials hit, we should consider them joy (James 1:2-4). Nevertheless, that does not make walking through the trials of this life any easier. What we must do when we are in a trial, or we know others who are walking through a trial, is to pray. We saw in our first two devotions this week that prayer is what we’re called to do and that we need to be praying for all believers. In 2 Thessalonians 3:2 today, we read how God led Paul to ask the believers in Thessalonica to pray for him, Silvanus and the other believers, that they would be rescued from the perverse and evil men coming against them. We live in a world that hates Christianity. Most people hate Christianity because they don’t want to be held accountable for their actions. When people come face to face with the reality that God is in charge and that He has the final word on judgment, then people lash out in anger and hatred. We must pray for our fellow Christians around the world who are being persecuted by perverse and evil people. May our Lord deliver them all, for His glory and praise.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about praying for those who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ?
2. Who are you praying for daily that God would deliver them from perverse and evil people?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!