Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5
Jesus commissioned His followers to go into all the world and make disciples. That mission begins when people hear and trust the Good News that Jesus is the King of the universe—the One who will make all things right.
But how does evangelism happen? How do ordinary people like us proclaim such a world-changing message?
Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lookout Mountain rises 2,000 feet above sea level, offering stunning views of the valleys and rivers below. But what lies beneath the mountain is even more impressive. Hidden 1,120 feet underground is Ruby Falls—the tallest and deepest underground waterfall in the United States. Since 1929, millions of visitors have taken the glass elevator down into the caves, exploring the beauty that cannot be seen from the surface.
I think evangelism is a lot like that. What we notice most are the things above ground—the visible fruit: people hearing the Gospel, repenting, being baptized, and finding new life in Christ. But beneath the surface there is something just as crucial, though often unseen. It happens early in the morning and late at night. It happens around kitchen tables and in quiet prayer closets. It happens in small groups and in solitude. The hidden but essential foundation of evangelism is prayer.
As Professor Lionel Windsor has written:
“Prayer must undergird and accompany everything in our Christian lives, especially as we speak the message of the gospel to others. That’s why, when it comes to evangelism, prayer—not our own plans or wisdom or activity—must always be the first item on the agenda.”
Paul’s Call for Prayer
In 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Paul shows us just how central prayer is to evangelism. Writing to a young church facing persecution and confusion about the “day of the Lord,” Paul asks them to pray:
“Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1–5)
1. The Acknowledgement of Need (vv. 1–2)
Paul doesn’t pretend that his mission is easy. He knows the challenges: persecution, spiritual opposition, cultural hostility, even the dangers of travel. And so he asks for prayer—that the Gospel would “speed ahead” and be honored, and that he would be delivered from wicked people.
Notice what this implies: evangelism is not a solo project. Paul, the great missionary apostle, admits he cannot do this on his own. He needs the church—not just to send him, but to stand with him in prayer. Evangelism is a team effort, rooted not in our cleverness or charisma, but in joining God in the work He is already doing.
This is why we pray. Without prayer, our efforts will fall flat. With prayer, we tap into the power of the One who opens hearts and transforms lives.
2. The Reassurance of God’s Faithfulness (vv. 3–4)
Paul contrasts the faithlessness of people with the faithfulness of God. Not everyone will believe the Gospel—some will even oppose it. But God will not fail His people. He will strengthen, protect, and guide them.
That same reassurance is for us. We don’t evangelize in our own strength. We don’t have to shoulder the entire burden of results. God is faithful. He has been faithful to His promises, faithful to His people, faithful to His mission. And He will be faithful to us.
No matter how discouraging or overwhelming the world feels, we can be confident that the Lord of the harvest is still at work. That confidence frees us to pray with expectation and to act with courage.
3. The Prayer for Faithfulness (v. 5)
Paul closes this section by praying for the Thessalonians themselves: that their hearts would be directed toward God’s love and Christ’s endurance.
This is a reminder that evangelism isn’t just about the words we speak. It’s also about the lives we live. When our character reflects God’s love and our perseverance mirrors Christ’s endurance, our message has credibility. People need to see the Gospel embodied in us if they are going to believe it.
So Paul prays for their faithfulness. And we should pray for ours too—that our daily lives would back up the message we proclaim.
The First Step
Prayer is the first step of evangelism.
It is not passive. It is not secondary. It is the crucial, hidden work that undergirds everything else. Before we speak, before we act, before we go—we pray.
You can start the work of evangelism today without leaving your home. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for your coworkers. Pray for your church. Pray for me. Just as Paul asked the Thessalonians to pray for him, I ask for your prayers as I seek to proclaim the Gospel.
Evangelism is the first step in disciple-making. And the first step in evangelism is prayer.
So let’s get started—on our knees.
No comments:
Post a Comment