◄ What Does 2 Thessalonians 2:17 Mean? ►

Paul often prayed for the comfort, encouragement, establishment, and strengthening of the Body of Christ, which is the Church, and in this great prayer, we find Paul's fervent intercession addressed equally to the Lord Jesus Christ and to God the Father.

He earnestly prayed for the Christians at Thessalonica, asking both God the Son and God the Father to comfort and encourage the hearts of these believers and to strengthen and establish them in every good work and in all they say.

But Paul's prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven, travels down the centuries and is as relevant to us today as it was in those early days of the Christian church.

We often think about the good works we do, to the glory of God, but let us remember how impactful our words can be. A simple word of thanks, a cheerful hello, or a passing comment of encouragement can mean so much to someone, and can make their day so much sweeter. As Proverbs reminds us: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." And let us remember: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."

May we read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Word of God so that we too may be comforted and encouraged: "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." Let us be those who comfort and strengthen others by our words and our works, as we draw our strength and hope from the Lord Jesus. May we also be strengthened and established in every good work and word, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father in heaven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your never-failing comfort and gracious encouragement, which is new every morning. I pray that I too, may be strengthened and established in every good work and word, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.