PRAY SOMETHING!  

Scripture for the day: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
Thought for the day: Paul didn’t have much to say about the Thessalonians that could be considered negative; not like he did about those in Corinth.  He commended them for their faith, generosity and patience.  He bragged about their spiritual growth and encouraged them to continue on to even higher ground.  Granted, he did use his apostolic authority to address the problem of some busybodies in the church.  I find it interesting that those who do the least in our churches seem to have the most time and greatest ability to stir up discontent and find fault with those who are too busy to worry about such things.  But that’s another issue for another time.  
 What really spoke to me this morning as I was reading was this: pray something.  I have a book on my shelf that I’ve read more than once, entitled, “Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something.”  In it the author, Ronald Dunn, speaks of the warfare that is real prayer and the amazing power of intercessory prayer.  He describes what he calls “the triangle of intercession.”  In a nutshell, this simply recognizes the fact there’s more involved in people’s lives than just the situations in which they find themselves.  There is also, hopefully, someone praying for them.  Then there’s the third point on the triangle, the One to whom the pray-er is petitioning.  Peter was in prison very early on after the church had taken hold and begun to grow.  He was there primarily because Herod had imprisoned and then executed James, to the delight of the religious leaders of the day, and when Herod found out how much they appreciated the death of one of the apostles, he thought he’d do away with a few more.  “But the church was constantly praying for him.”  Oh, my friends, that’s the key.  The situation, the people involved, the dire outcome predicted, is not the end of the matter when God is involved.  With Peter the whole episode ended in his release from 16 armed guards, two sets of heavy chains, two iron gates and the certainty of death.  With others the intercession needed may have nothing whatsoever to do with physical danger.
 Here’s the point; when you pray, how do you pray?  What are you praying for?  I heard of a young ensign who went off to war during World War II.  He was in the Chaplain Corps which meant he would not be considered a combat soldier, even though he would spend a great deal of time on the front lines with those who were.  As he was preparing to board the troop ship that would take him to the European front, his mom and dad, sisters and brothers, and his church family gathered around him for prayer.  They assured him over and over that they would be petitioning the Lord for his safety in the heat of battle.  Finally, the young man stopped them and said, “Please, don’t pray for my safety; I’m already in the hands of God.  Pray rather that I might be used of Him to glorify the name of the Son in whatever circumstances He may place me.”  
 The young man headed off to the war and, within a few months his parents received the word that he’d been killed in action in France.  His commanding officer wrote that he’d never seen anyone act more bravely or selflessly in addressing the spiritual needs of those engaged in battle.  In short, the prayers of the congregation at home were answered.
 Paul, when he wrote, didn’t ask for release from prison, an easy walk through the world, or peace in his time (he probably had enough experience already to know that wasn’t likely anyway).  He asked for just enough protection so that the word of the Lord could go forward, and that whatever he said or did would bring glory to the Savior.  Now doesn’t that sound better than, “Lord, please relieve aunt Gladys of her sore bunions; you know how faithful she’s been over the years.”  Don’t get me wrong, I have sympathy for aunt Gladys (a little anyway), but if limping about because of terminal bunions brings glory to God, then why would I pray for them to go away? 
Now go pray something and then take on your world.  -  Bill