II Thessalonians 3:1-2 - “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.” Think about the prayers that are led publicly where you worship. What is the subject matter most often spoken? Think about your own prayers. Do you pray mostly for yourself, or for others? When others lead you in prayer, are you guided into concern for the spread of the gospel? for those who preach it? for those who hear it? Paul besought the church to pray that the gospel might be preached without persecution to receptive hearts. He willed that the word might be glorified (exalted and lived) in others as it was in the church in Thessalonica. He asks the saved to pray that he personally might preach without the opposition of “unreasonable and wicked men.” Does the church pray fervently today for these things? Do we not respect the request of the apostle? Do we not love the Lord who saved us? those who have committed themselves to preach His precious name regardless of the opposition? the souls of the lost to whom he may preach? Let the church take personally and seriously the pleading of the Holy Spirit of God. Let you and me pray fervently for the word, the preachers and the lost.