Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work. (3:1) finally brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, (2) and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. (3) But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (4) And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. (5) Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
The 2nd letter to the THESSALONIANS was writte by the Apostle Paul. The main part of the letter was finished – Paul has completed his teaching about the end times and the second coming of Christ Jesus, and now he reminds the Thessalonians that salvation is God’s choice and that they have been elected to it. The Apostles and their companions were but God’s messengers and they sought and needed the prayers of the faithful to endure and spread this good news – Paul wanted to preach the gospel and the word of the power of God to save men who received it.
Paul expresses confidence that a small group of new Christians would continue to live in the Lord – that they would endure in not only a pagan world but also in the face of the corruption efforts of the Judaizers who followed Paul wherever he evangelized. This gentle reminder of the truth that they have embraced was that the Lord is always with all who trust in Him. God is faithful.
Paul began this letter with his declaration of praying without ceasing for the Thessalonians which gives us a glimpse of the importance of his prayer life – to have prayer be the undercurrent of all he did. This constant prayer should be foundational for daily Christian living – without it we are adrift – physically and mentally confused. God is always with us but it is our responsibility and joy to accept His grace and seek Him in everything we think, feel and do.