Praying for Those Under Affliction

The church I grew up in had prayer meeting on Wednesday nights.  My grandparents lived next door to me.  I would usually go with them or with my mom.  It was the same routine.  Someone gave a devotional type message that lasted about ten or fifteen minutes and then prayer requests were taken.  It always seemed like the requests were concerning those under the affliction of bad health and for their healing, and it stopped there.   

Fast forward to my Bible college days.  In one of my Bible classes we were required to read all the books that Paul had written.  We were to concentrate on the prayers of Paul and then make a summary of their content.  I can tell you, they weren't all about people's health.    Paul's heart was that the saints faith would flourish and grow while under difficult circumstances; His prayers centered around spiritual things.

The Thessalonians were enduring great persecution at the time Paul wrote his second letter to them.  Their faith was growing in spite of the intense pressure as well as their love for each other.  He said because of this he was able to speak proudly about them to the other churches.  They were not caving under the pressure, but persevering.  He goes on to teach the Thessalonians what the church can expect to see before Christ returns and gathers the elect.  Their affliction did not mean they were in the day of the Lord.  The day of the Lord, the point at which Christ comes and gathers the church and then pours out His wrath, would not come until after the man of lawlessness is revealed.

At the end of chapter two and into chapter three, we find Paul turning his thoughts to prayer for these dear saints.  Here are his final requests to God for this afflicted body of believers: 

• may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ
• may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance
• the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all

Paul didn't ask that the affliction be removed.  I do think it is okay to ask for healing for those you love, but I think the greater appeal should be for the spiritual well-being of those enduring affliction, of any kind.  I especially love Paul's words after the first bullet - may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.

May your heart go deeper and deeper into God's love.  May you have greater and greater comprehension and understanding of His love for you and may your love for Him then grow.  May He give you great endurance and patience in Christ's strength.