20 Feb March 12th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

PRAY GOD PROTECTS THOSE WHO SPREAD THE GOSPEL   

2 Thessalonians 3:2 “And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.”

Wicked and evil people are not always as transparent as one would think.  They can be ever so subtle in the temptations they bring into your life.  This is also true for pastors and teachers of God’s word.  Satan uses every deception, seduction, and devious means possible to lead a pastor into sin, especially public and salacious sins, just as he does you.

The difference is, when Satan leads a pastor or Christian teacher into sin that becomes known, the consequences often negatively affect the congregation or at least individuals in the congregation.  Unfortunately, when a pastor succumbs to temptations his members are often led into sins related to the sins of the pastor.

In today’s devotional verse, St. Paul requested the Thessalonian Christians to pray for their pastors.  Your prayers for your pastor are equally needed.  Thus, Jesus taught you to pray for deliverance from evil, not only for yourself, but in this case for your pastor as well.  The seventh petition of the Lord’s prayer is so simple, but so profound:  “But deliver us from evil.”

Luther, in His Small Catechism explains the meaning of this petition:  “We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.”  Verse 3 of 2 Thessalonians chapter three says, “The Lord . . .will . . .guard you against the evil one.”

The Psalmist writes, “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)

Prayers for your pastor are much needed.  Satan, like a roaring lion is seeking to devour him perhaps even more than even you. (1 Peter 5:8) “Therefore,” writes James, “ . . . pray for each other  . . .  the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

Prayer:  Lord, teach me to pray for others, especially for my pastor, that he not be led into temptation.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

O Lord, hear my prayer,

O Lord, hear my prayer;

When I call answer me.

O Lord, hear my prayer.

O Lord, hear my prayer;

Come and listen to me.

(LSB 780)