WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.339 Thanks so much. Evening, everyone. I want to begin by telling you about my trip back from Moldova. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:13.839 A few years ago, I was in Moldova. That's in sort of central eastern Europe, basically, or thereabouts. 00:00:14.099 --> 00:00:21.820 A few years ago, I was in Moldova on a mission trip. And on the way back, we got to the airport, we got through security, all of that in very good time, sensible time. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:27.600 But it was minus 20 degrees outside. And I genuinely have never seen such ridiculous weather. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:34.020 And it got worse and worse. It was written, as it were, on the wall. Of course, our flight was cancelled. 00:00:34.840 --> 00:00:41.400 And they kept rearranging and rescheduling our flight. But we ended up in this airport for more than 24 hours. 00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:47.960 You can imagine what the airport in Moldova is like. I think there were three gates, certainly no McDonald's. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:55.400 We got so bored in that 24 hours that we actually started playing curling, as in like on an ice rink, using the luggage trolleys. 00:00:55.399 --> 00:01:01.960 It was fun. But it was a long time. I wonder what's the longest that you've ever had to wait in an airport. 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:07.599 And when you do have a wait like that, what do you do with it? 00:01:08.980 --> 00:01:16.299 Even just like an ordinary wait somewhere, if you had an hour or two to spare to wait for something, what do you do with that time? 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:25.259 I guess for a lot of us, the default when we found ourselves waiting unexpectedly is probably to get our phones out, isn't it? 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:30.939 And I wonder what your poison is, whether it's Instagram or Facebook or TikTok or your emails. 00:01:32.039 --> 00:01:34.599 Maybe you prefer to distract yourself with a good book. 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:36.840 Or you listen to a podcast. 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:42.219 Or you're the multitasker who likes to try and do all of these things at the same time. 00:01:43.560 --> 00:01:48.980 That feeling of waiting, I guess depending on what we've got to do, it can produce different things in us, can't it? 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:49.840 We can get bored. 00:01:50.340 --> 00:01:54.280 We might be grateful, though, for the opportunity to get something productive done. 00:01:54.980 --> 00:01:58.620 We're often impatient, aren't we, for the thing that we're waiting for as we wait. 00:01:58.620 --> 00:02:09.719 But however that particular wait makes us feel, one thing I think is always true, and whether we manage to do this or not, we want to make the most of that time, don't we? 00:02:11.560 --> 00:02:12.900 And that's true in life, generally. 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.700 We want to make the most of the time that we have to be as productive as possible. 00:02:16.800 --> 00:02:20.180 There are so many self-help books with exactly that message. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:21.939 How can you get more done? 00:02:22.480 --> 00:02:23.319 Do more better. 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:25.560 Use your time more wisely. 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:28.120 It's such an emphasis in our world today, isn't it? 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:37.520 In this letter in 2 Thessalonians, and we'll see this particularly next week, Paul wants the Thessalonians to be productive Christians. 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:40.360 He says that they ought to be at work. 00:02:40.860 --> 00:02:47.159 Having assured them that Jesus hasn't yet returned and that he absolutely will, he says just get to work whilst you wait. 00:02:48.680 --> 00:02:55.060 I wonder then how we as Christians ought to think about productivity, about getting stuff done. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:03:05.500 As Paul tells the Thessalonians to get to work, it strikes me, and we'll spend lots of time on this, I'm sure, with Alistair next week, but it strikes me that whatever we're doing, we want to do it, don't we? 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:06.780 To the best of our ability. 00:03:07.479 --> 00:03:10.120 To be the best consultant that we can be. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:12.520 To be the best manager we can be. 00:03:12.599 --> 00:03:15.039 To be the best nurse or student that we can be. 00:03:15.480 --> 00:03:19.699 Working as if for God, for his glory, in our jobs every day. 00:03:19.699 --> 00:03:28.459 And also as we do that, that we would take every opportunity that we can to share his gospel and to care for people and love people as we do that. 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:30.459 We want to be, don't we, productive Christians. 00:03:31.859 --> 00:03:36.459 Paul too wants the Thessalonians to be productive, growing Christians. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:44.180 But before he gets there, in this little section that we've had read for us this evening, his emphasis is on prayer. 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:47.240 He says this is what's coming. 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:49.800 The victorious Jesus is coming. 00:03:49.980 --> 00:03:51.540 And as you wait, get to work. 00:03:51.700 --> 00:03:53.340 Make the most of your time in the airport. 00:03:54.680 --> 00:03:58.439 But first, Paul's priority is prayer. 00:03:58.439 --> 00:04:02.439 And I don't actually think that that's a massively different priority. 00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:10.020 Because counterintuitive though this is, Paul would say that prayer is the most productive thing we could possibly do. 00:04:11.479 --> 00:04:13.340 So that's our focus this evening. 00:04:14.000 --> 00:04:16.259 The productive priority of prayer. 00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:21.279 Two questions I think this passage answers for us. 00:04:21.379 --> 00:04:23.639 Maybe these are questions that we've had about prayer. 00:04:23.740 --> 00:04:27.319 I'm sure just as helpful to us as they were for the church in Thessalonica. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:29.560 Question one, why bother praying? 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.019 You ever asked that question? 00:04:32.860 --> 00:04:33.300 Why bother? 00:04:34.599 --> 00:04:36.879 And question two, what are we supposed to pray for? 00:04:38.980 --> 00:04:41.240 So firstly, why bother praying? 00:04:42.159 --> 00:04:46.560 Here we're going to go through three reasons that prayer is a priority for Paul. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:50.399 Whether you're a Christian or not, I guess we've all asked this question at some point. 00:04:50.519 --> 00:04:51.719 It's a massive question. 00:04:52.259 --> 00:04:55.000 And we're going to tackle it here really just by way of introduction. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:57.600 If you'd like to talk about it more, grab me afterwards. 00:04:57.699 --> 00:04:58.519 I'd love to talk about it. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:00.660 Katie and I have just actually finished reading this book. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.480 Sorry, it's got coffee all over it, this copy. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:04.740 But it's called Enjoy Your Prayer Life. 00:05:05.100 --> 00:05:07.000 It's really helpful on this sort of stuff. 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:10.139 If you'd like a copy, we've got, I think, some spares back there. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.899 If not, you can have my coffee stained version. 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:14.899 But this is a question that I think we've all asked. 00:05:15.479 --> 00:05:15.979 Why bother? 00:05:16.759 --> 00:05:18.659 And here is why we ask it. 00:05:19.979 --> 00:05:21.959 Because God is sovereign. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:24.679 He is in complete control. 00:05:25.419 --> 00:05:27.179 And that's wonderful news. 00:05:27.599 --> 00:05:28.879 Let's just dwell there for a bit. 00:05:28.919 --> 00:05:33.479 Because if your God is not sovereign, then you cannot be sure about anything. 00:05:33.479 --> 00:05:36.459 And his promises to us are not really certain at all. 00:05:36.459 --> 00:05:43.500 If your God is not sovereign, if he's not completely in control, then Christianity isn't really good news at all. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:53.379 In all the challenges of life today, if your God is not sovereign, then there is no comfort knowing that a good God is powerful to help. 00:05:54.299 --> 00:05:59.060 There is no comfort that what you face will be used for your good. 00:05:59.060 --> 00:06:05.600 And there's no comfort, no assurance that when you die, you will have eternal life with him. 00:06:07.019 --> 00:06:08.579 But God is sovereign. 00:06:09.180 --> 00:06:10.780 The Bible is clear about that. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:11.879 He is in control. 00:06:11.959 --> 00:06:16.399 And not just in control of some things, but he really is in control of everything. 00:06:17.060 --> 00:06:18.420 We'll see that in our passage. 00:06:19.160 --> 00:06:23.500 That means that in all of the challenges that you face in life, he is in control. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:27.100 And he has the power to save you and to save you eternally. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:31.740 See, that's the burden of Paul at the end of chapter 2. 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:34.379 Have a look at verses 13 and 14 with me. 00:06:34.420 --> 00:06:37.379 And as I read these, just ask yourself, who has the agency here? 00:06:37.720 --> 00:06:38.780 Who's doing the work? 00:06:39.020 --> 00:06:39.879 Who's in control? 00:06:41.400 --> 00:06:52.680 Brothers and sisters, loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 00:06:53.320 --> 00:06:55.860 He called you to this through our gospel. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.740 Guys, this is all God. 00:06:57.860 --> 00:06:58.480 He loves. 00:06:58.879 --> 00:06:59.480 He chooses. 00:07:00.080 --> 00:07:00.879 He saves. 00:07:00.980 --> 00:07:02.699 It's the sanctifying work of who? 00:07:02.840 --> 00:07:03.580 The Spirit. 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:04.620 He calls. 00:07:04.980 --> 00:07:06.680 And this is wonderful good news. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:11.980 Paul says this to reassure the Thessalonians. 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:15.139 They've been deceived about Jesus' return. 00:07:15.280 --> 00:07:17.319 But says Paul, you are nevertheless Christians. 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:19.500 You've got it wrong, but you are nevertheless Christians. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:23.720 And so for us, just let that give us assurance too. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:28.860 For it is him, not you, that achieves it all. 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:31.540 Certainly for me, that is very good news. 00:07:32.279 --> 00:07:35.019 It's not dependent on my moving towards him. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:37.180 It is his gift to me. 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:40.060 And then what does Paul do? 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.740 Well, he tells these guys to pray. 00:07:41.740 --> 00:07:56.019 We've got to ask then, if that's who Paul is saying God is in chapter 2, if God is all-powerful and all-seeing and unchanging, if God is sovereign, then surely our prayers aren't going to make a single bit of difference to him. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:57.740 Why bother? 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:05.359 Isn't that just a massive waste of time when we could be doing more productive things, even good things for him? 00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:11.979 Especially when, if we're honest, when we pray, doesn't it just very often feel as though no one is listening? 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:18.859 And in our experience, don't we often know that it feels like there is no answer to our prayer? 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:19.639 Why bother? 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:22.859 Why, Paul, should this be a priority? 00:08:22.860 --> 00:08:29.699 Well, just quite quickly, here's three reasons to pray from this passage, and we'll rattle through them. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:32.700 We'll spend more time on what to pray for afterwards. 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:33.779 But here are three reasons. 00:08:33.940 --> 00:08:36.340 Firstly, it's a commandment. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:38.279 God tells us to. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:42.340 In a way, he does that here through the apostle Paul. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:44.039 First, as Paul provides an example. 00:08:44.600 --> 00:08:49.820 See, at the beginning of verse 17, may the Lord, and then verse 5 of chapter 2, may the Lord. 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.500 They're examples of Paul praying. 00:08:51.500 --> 00:08:54.899 But Paul does explicitly also command them to pray. 00:08:55.720 --> 00:08:59.580 See the repetition in verses 1 to 5 of chapter 3. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:02.259 We'll see what he tells them to pray for. 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.980 But for now, just notice that he does. 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:05.340 He commands them to pray. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:10.519 And of course, it's not just through Paul here that God commands his people to pray. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:14.139 In the Gospels, Jesus tells his followers to pray. 00:09:14.600 --> 00:09:15.980 It's all over the Bible, isn't it? 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:17.259 Both the Old Testament and the New. 00:09:17.360 --> 00:09:19.820 Prayer is a priority for the believer. 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:25.960 If we trust God's word, then we've got to see that to pray is a commandment for the Christian. 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:30.260 Secondly, it's an instrument. 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:37.000 In the book of James, we're told you do not have because you do not ask. 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:39.879 You do not have because you do not ask. 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:41.480 The implication there is simple. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:45.960 It is that there are things that we haven't received because we haven't prayed. 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:50.019 It does not mean that we will receive all that we ask for. 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:53.840 But if we do not ask, how can we receive? 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:58.720 But then doesn't that sound a bit like a contradiction? 00:09:59.439 --> 00:10:05.379 If God is sovereign, if he is in control, then why should he require that I ask him for the things that he wants to give me? 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:09.980 The answer is it's because our prayers are his instruments. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:13.920 We saw something quite similar to this in John chapter 4 with Graham this morning. 00:10:14.480 --> 00:10:17.879 See, God is not only sovereign over the ends, the outcomes. 00:10:18.659 --> 00:10:23.480 He is also sovereign over the means, the instrument by which something is carried out. 00:10:24.519 --> 00:10:25.980 See how that works in our passage. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:34.600 We saw in verses 13 and 14 how it's the work of God that saves, how he chooses and loves and saves and calls. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:39.019 But notice that in verse 14, he does that through our gospel. 00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:46.840 It is through Paul and the other writers of this letter, through their sharing of the gospel that God works. 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:48.639 That's true today. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:49.980 It's true of preaching. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:55.300 It's why we share the gospel, because it is God's instrument, the means by which he saves. 00:10:56.080 --> 00:10:58.180 And the exact same thing is true of prayer. 00:10:59.040 --> 00:11:00.560 Prayer is one of God's means. 00:11:00.680 --> 00:11:02.940 It's the way that his ends are achieved. 00:11:03.680 --> 00:11:04.460 So pray. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.000 For it is his instrument. 00:11:07.720 --> 00:11:11.740 And thirdly and finally, it is for your nourishment. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:17.659 For as we pray, God grows us in our faith. 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:26.279 See, if God were sovereign and if he used our prayers as his instruments for carrying out his sovereign will, 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:32.220 but he did not want our good, then prayer would indeed be a waste of time, wouldn't it? 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:37.500 But God absolutely does want our best, not only in this life, but ultimately eternally. 00:11:38.460 --> 00:11:45.680 Just as Paul encourages the Thessalonians in chapter 2, verse 15, to stand firm, to hold fast, 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:50.739 to not get carried away with this idea that Jesus has already returned, as we saw last week, 00:11:50.739 --> 00:11:55.599 but instead to stay on the path and have faith in Jesus that he will return. 00:11:56.319 --> 00:12:04.399 But then in verse 16, he prays that they will have the eternal encouragement and hope that he has. 00:12:04.399 --> 00:12:08.379 He's praying that they would continue to grow in faith. 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:15.139 And if God is both sovereign and good, which if we trust God's word, he absolutely is those things, 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:20.840 then prayer is for your nourishment, that you would grow in faith. 00:12:20.840 --> 00:12:25.139 So just really quickly, there's three reasons that prayer is a priority. 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:29.040 It's a commandment, it's an instrument, it's for your nourishment. 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:33.320 It's good to think more about these things, but we don't have too much time. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:40.720 But if nothing else this evening, I hope that we would be convinced that the Christian ought to be making prayer a priority. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:46.620 As we wait for the return of Jesus, making the most of our time in the airport, 00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:50.899 this really is then the most productive thing that we can be doing. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:58.860 Maybe you are convinced that prayer is a priority, but that doesn't actually make prayer any easier, does it? 00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:02.440 And maybe you struggle to know exactly what to pray for. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.879 If you're anything like me and you look at the world we live in, 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:09.379 it's really because there's just so much we could pray about. 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:12.600 But even as we just look at our own nation or our own city, 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:16.259 even just our own friends and family, as we look around the church, 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:20.019 don't we see that there's so much we could be asking for and praying for? 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:22.439 We could just be praying all the time. 00:13:24.080 --> 00:13:30.399 And yet, I'd guess that our problem, certainly my problem, is not too much prayer. 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:34.419 Nor do I think it's praying for the wrong things. 00:13:34.840 --> 00:13:38.639 I think much more likely a problem for us is prayerlessness. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:45.399 Much more likely that we are prayerless than struggling to get anything else done 00:13:45.399 --> 00:13:47.120 because we're spending all of our time praying. 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:50.939 And I wonder if part of that is because we're just overwhelmed. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:57.340 We know that prayer is a priority, but we don't know what our priorities should be in prayer. 00:13:57.340 --> 00:14:02.300 We don't know how to pray and we don't know what to pray for. 00:14:03.580 --> 00:14:09.680 So if you've ever asked that question, Paul gives us three really helpful priorities for prayer here. 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:13.040 The first one on the screen is gospel encouragement. 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:17.000 We saw it in verses 16 and 17. 00:14:17.319 --> 00:14:19.939 This is what Paul is praying for the guys in Thessalonica. 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:26.519 That God who gave eternal encouragement and good hope would also encourage your hearts, 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:31.699 the hearts of the Thessalonians, their hearts, the very center of their being, 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.139 encouraged towards what? 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:41.480 And as Paul prays for them in verse 5 of chapter 2, it's very similar. 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:46.019 May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. 00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:47.319 It's the same sort of thing. 00:14:47.419 --> 00:14:51.319 Be encouraged in your heart, in the depth of your being. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:55.419 Be encouraged by the gospel that God has loved you, 00:14:55.419 --> 00:15:02.059 that he has chosen you, that he has saved you, that Christ persevered for you, even to die for you, 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:06.259 and that you would persevere in the same way by faith, 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:09.019 that you might live with him forever. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:11.839 That's gospel encouragement that he's praying for. 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:15.740 I guess that's no surprise that that's what Paul prays for, for these guys in particular, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:19.399 in light of the persecution that we saw them face in chapter 1, 00:15:20.079 --> 00:15:23.360 in light of the deception that they seem to have fallen for in chapter 2. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:27.800 They're not having an easy time, and so he prays that they would be encouraged. 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:31.919 And I think this is just a wonderful priority for us in our prayer too. 00:15:33.039 --> 00:15:36.379 It might be helpful here to first think about Christians across the world, 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:40.960 maybe especially those who, like the church in Thessalonica, are persecuted for their faith. 00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:45.639 Open Doors, wonderful resource if you've come across Open Doors. 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:48.620 They're a charity working to encourage persecuted Christians. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:52.120 And every year they publish the World Watch List, 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:57.560 where they rank the 50 countries where Christians face the sharpest persecution. 00:15:59.000 --> 00:16:00.759 There are 52 weeks in the year. 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:04.779 Maybe you could pick one country from that list each week of the year. 00:16:04.940 --> 00:16:05.960 You can have two weeks off. 00:16:07.399 --> 00:16:11.419 Pray that the Christians there would receive real gospel encouragement. 00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:15.139 That even as they face this kind of persecution, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:18.179 that deep in their hearts they would know God's love. 00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.579 That they are chosen. 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.939 That they are saved. 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:23.819 That they would trust in Christ's perseverance for them. 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:25.799 That they would hope in eternity. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:30.379 And as we keep this priority for prayer, 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:32.860 we can pray for one another too, can't we, as a church? 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:35.019 Recognizing that in one way or another, 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:37.539 we all face some kind of persecution for our faith, 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:40.980 whether that's at work or at the club or with our family or our friends. 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:44.080 I guess we're probably not in physical danger, 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.639 but don't we desperately need to be encouraged by the gospel? 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.279 And so let's pray this way for one another. 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.560 If you're in a small group, 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:55.180 I wonder if you could write a list of those in your group 00:16:55.180 --> 00:16:58.060 and just pray for a different person in your group each morning. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:01.460 Or if you serve on a team here at church, 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:05.339 whether that's welcome or tea and coffee or embassy or kids or whatever it is, 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:07.259 could you do something similar with those in your team? 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:11.960 Could you grab someone after the Sunday service and pray 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:14.140 and encourage them in this way in person? 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:19.480 As we do that, would our priority in those prayers be this? 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:24.339 Not for a new job or a restored relationship or physical healing 00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.859 or for a more manageable workload. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:28.279 There are so many things that we can pray for for one another. 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:31.180 And we can, of course, pray for those things. 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:34.000 But would our first priority in prayer be this? 00:17:35.060 --> 00:17:36.440 That in our heart of hearts, 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:40.200 we would have eternal encouragement and good hope, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:44.400 knowing God's love and Christ's perseverance for us. 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:48.700 First priority, pray for gospel encouragement. 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:53.240 Second, pray for gospel empowerment. 00:17:54.100 --> 00:17:55.940 See how verse 17 continues, 00:17:55.940 --> 00:18:07.980 Paul is concerned in this letter that they would continue to do good, 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:12.259 not thinking that Jesus had already returned and therefore giving up, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:16.720 but staying on the path that they would continue to share the good word of God. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:20.160 That's not simply that they would be kind and friendly, 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:23.580 but they would literally speak the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:25.819 It's prayer for gospel empowerment. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:30.159 Again, in verses three and four of chapter two, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.299 Paul reminds them as he has prayed for them, 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:36.579 he says, the Lord is faithful and he will strengthen you 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:38.220 and protect you from the evil one. 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:41.359 He continues, we have confidence in the Lord 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:45.220 that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:51.059 He prays that it would happen, knowing that it will happen. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:52.480 Isn't that interesting? 00:18:52.480 --> 00:18:57.059 He is in verse 17, praying God's promises back to him. 00:18:57.880 --> 00:19:01.079 For God has promised that he will give them everything that they need 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:04.519 so that they might do good works and so that they might speak good words 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:06.940 and so that they might be protected from evil. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.640 Again, like praying God's promises back to him, 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.000 doesn't that sound so pointless? 00:19:12.180 --> 00:19:14.200 If he's already promised to do this or that, 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:16.519 surely he'll do it whether I pray or not. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:19.960 But of course, as we've already seen, 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.980 God is not only concerned with the ends, 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:25.240 but also with the means. 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:29.240 He is sovereign over the fulfillment of his promises, 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:33.559 but he is also sovereign over the way that they are fulfilled. 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:37.940 And our prayers are part of his means. 00:19:37.940 --> 00:19:40.860 So pray those promises back to him. 00:19:41.860 --> 00:19:45.080 And especially here, the promise of gospel empowerment. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:49.279 Again, isn't that so helpful for us in our prayers for one another? 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:53.460 Not only to pray for gospel encouragement and eternal hope, 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:55.119 but for gospel empowerment. 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:58.799 As we think again of our brothers and sisters across the world, 00:19:58.899 --> 00:20:02.939 that they would have all the strength that they need to stand fast, 00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:05.899 to hold firm, to flee from sin, 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:08.799 to live such good lives, to speak the gospel. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:13.379 But for me, this is really where I see the local church 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:15.139 is just so wonderful and beautiful. 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:20.119 That we can love and know and trust one another so deeply, 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:24.599 praying not just simply for generic strength to do these things 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:27.220 or generic strength to share the gospel, 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:29.240 but a challenge. 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:31.839 As you look around the room, just a small number of us here, 00:20:31.919 --> 00:20:35.059 how many people here, even when there's just a very few of us, 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:37.359 members of this church, your church, 00:20:37.359 --> 00:20:41.099 how many of them do you know what tomorrow is going to be like for them? 00:20:42.939 --> 00:20:45.479 Do you know what family life is like for them? 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:50.759 As we seek to be a church of disciple-making disciples, 00:20:50.959 --> 00:20:52.500 do you know the places where they're going 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:54.439 and spending time with people who don't know Jesus? 00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:58.859 Do you know how you can be praying for them? 00:20:59.439 --> 00:21:01.719 Because this is the strength of the local church, 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:04.219 as we love and know and trust one another, 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:07.259 we're able to pray just really specifically, 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:09.859 for gospel empowerment in each other's lives, 00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:12.839 to live and speak the gospel. 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:17.419 So this is the second priority for the church in Thessalonica, 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:19.000 to pray for gospel empowerment. 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:23.899 And thirdly, and finally, to pray for gospel advancement. 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:28.359 See in verse one, that is what Paul asked the Thessalonians 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.379 to pray for for him. 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:31.340 He says, pray for us, 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:35.340 that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:37.440 just as it was with you. 00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:43.060 As Paul continues to do this work of traveling and sharing the gospel, 00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:45.700 kindling churches all over the known world. 00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.140 And as he does that, 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:49.220 the message is spreading rapidly, 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:52.360 and people are trusting in Jesus, honoring him. 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:54.439 And churches are growing. 00:21:54.639 --> 00:21:55.559 And he says, pray, 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:57.959 pray that this work would continue. 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:02.719 How encouraging for the Thessalonians to know that they're not alone 00:22:02.719 --> 00:22:04.799 and to pray in this way. 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:06.879 But of course, 00:22:06.939 --> 00:22:09.240 Paul also gives the other side of the coin in verse two. 00:22:10.699 --> 00:22:13.579 Pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:15.959 for not everyone has faith. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:19.340 Of course, the Thessalonians know that that's true. 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.880 We've heard about the sorts of persecutions that they faced 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.840 because that's true. 00:22:24.480 --> 00:22:26.480 That was true wherever Paul shared the gospel. 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.600 Some honored Jesus, trusting in him, 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:32.420 and others continued to reject Jesus, having no faith. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.600 And so I guess that too is an encouragement to the Thessalonians, isn't it? 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:39.240 This is exactly what they had experienced. 00:22:39.779 --> 00:22:42.279 And Paul says, in that experience, pray. 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:46.339 Pray, pray not just for your own church, 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:51.059 but look out at the world and pray that more would be saved, 00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:53.420 that the gospel would spread, 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:57.539 and pray for protection from those who reject it. 00:22:58.799 --> 00:23:01.119 And of course, we can be praying like this today. 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:04.339 Again, I think it's appropriate to start by thinking about 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:06.059 the great mission field of all nations 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:09.200 in countries where the message, even right now, 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.819 is rapidly spreading. 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:14.240 If you sometimes look out of the doors of this church 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:17.200 and feel discouraged about the spread of the gospel in this city, 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:20.419 just go on Google and look at how the gospel is spreading 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:23.039 in places like China and South America, 00:23:23.919 --> 00:23:28.059 and be encouraged that the gospel is, even now, spreading rapidly. 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:31.659 And yet, in lots of these places, 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:35.819 real protection is needed from those who continue to reject the gospel. 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:38.220 A good example of that in Qatar, 00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:41.960 the World Cup has shone something of a spotlight on Qatar, hasn't it? 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:44.680 And we've heard about migrant workers, 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:46.539 often exploited by the government, 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:50.200 even dying in the process of delivering this World Cup. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:54.019 And lots of those migrant workers are Christians. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.279 And in Qatar, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:58.940 if you're not native to Qatar, 00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.860 if you're a migrant, 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:02.120 then you can worship however you like. 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:04.959 But Qatar is a Muslim country, 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:06.799 and so the Christians there are forbidden 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:10.099 from evangelizing to native Qatari people. 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:13.479 And yet that is exactly what they're doing. 00:24:13.679 --> 00:24:14.519 Of course it is. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:17.079 Secretly and with great fear and trembling, 00:24:17.239 --> 00:24:19.339 they are disciple-making disciples, 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:21.519 holding out the wonderful truth of the gospel 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.119 to the people around them. 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:25.979 One pastor in Qatar said this about their efforts. 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:29.779 That fear is always reminding me 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:32.019 of the strength there is in the word of God. 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:36.200 Real courage is to totally depend on him. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:40.240 Do you see the two things that he is burdened for there? 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:42.720 The sovereignty of God and the power of his word, 00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.440 and dependence on him, 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.120 which is prayer. 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:49.200 So absolutely we can pray for the Christians in Qatar 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.599 who are depending on him, 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:53.339 that they would continue to have freedom to worship, 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:55.139 but especially as they share the gospel 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:56.939 with their Qatari neighbors, 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:59.519 that the message would spread rapidly 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.740 and that they would be protected 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:02.720 from the evil of those who reject it. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.919 We can pray for people all over the world 00:25:06.919 --> 00:25:09.419 with this priority, gospel advancement. 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:12.759 But we don't want to focus on the global mission field 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:14.159 at the expense of the local. 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.819 And again, I think the local church 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:17.000 is just wonderful here. 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:20.519 For we ought to know what the coalface of mission 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.740 is like for one another, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:24.380 so that we can pray very specifically 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.519 for each other in that. 00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:27.019 We've already talked about that, 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:29.500 but we also have a role to play as a church together. 00:25:30.420 --> 00:25:32.220 I guess that's why we do the extra things 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.400 that we do at Christmas, 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:36.220 the Christmas Kids Club and the carol service. 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:38.359 So let's pray for those things, 00:25:38.420 --> 00:25:40.279 that at them the message would spread. 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:43.319 It's why we send preachers to towns 00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:44.940 like Peebles and Bells Hill. 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:47.200 It's why I'm doing what I'm doing 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.000 as pastor in training, to be sent. 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:51.539 Just as Alistair goes to Fernie Hill, 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:53.740 recognizing that the nation that we live in 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.960 desperately needs the good news of this gospel. 00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:57.420 So pray for these things, 00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.839 that the gospel would spread here. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:03.240 And every time you hear the gospel proclaimed publicly, 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:05.440 every time someone steps into a pulpit, 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.359 would you pray for them? 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:09.240 Actually, in that moment, pray for them 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.140 and pray for those who are listening, 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.619 that the message would spread. 00:26:14.619 --> 00:26:17.239 Pray that as it is received, 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.979 it is honored. 00:26:18.879 --> 00:26:20.339 And that those who don't honor it, 00:26:20.399 --> 00:26:21.739 who continue to reject it, 00:26:21.819 --> 00:26:22.779 that despite that, 00:26:22.839 --> 00:26:24.839 we would continue to be free in this country 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.319 to worship here as a church. 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.699 And again, as we know and love 00:26:30.699 --> 00:26:31.739 and trust one another, 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:34.199 understanding the context in which we live and work, 00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:36.299 pray that we would not be led 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.959 into the temptations of evil 00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:39.919 and the wickedness all around us, 00:26:40.479 --> 00:26:42.179 but that we would be delivered from evil. 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:45.160 This is what it looks like to pray 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:46.660 for gospel advancement. 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:50.240 So there are three priorities as we pray. 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:54.860 Gospel encouragement, empowerment, and advancement. 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.920 Even with these priorities, 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:01.080 I recognize prayer really isn't easy, is it? 00:27:01.799 --> 00:27:04.200 And if you really do struggle to know what to say, 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:06.440 whether you're praying out loud or in your head, 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:08.320 and I guess that's most of us at times, 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:12.100 maybe overwhelmed by so many things to pray for, 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:14.240 even as we look at a passage like this 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.320 and see sort of three categories 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:18.100 or priorities that we can pray about, 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:19.519 it can be really hard, can't it, 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:21.640 to know how to put that into words, 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:23.220 to know what to say. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.900 Let me offer just two things 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:28.180 that I've found super helpful before we finish. 00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:30.500 The first one's from Spurgeon, 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.960 and Spurgeon, the great 19th century preacher, 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:34.140 said this about prayer. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.279 It's very simple. 00:27:36.080 --> 00:27:36.380 He said, 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.540 the fewer the words, 00:27:38.260 --> 00:27:39.180 the better the prayer. 00:27:40.560 --> 00:27:42.220 I just find that so helpful. 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.380 The fewer the words, 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.920 the better the prayer. 00:27:45.900 --> 00:27:48.180 I think especially when it comes to praying out loud, 00:27:48.280 --> 00:27:48.880 in public, 00:27:49.320 --> 00:27:50.440 in front of other people, 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.820 it's tempting, isn't it, 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:53.180 to do everything that we can 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:55.640 to come across as eloquently as possible. 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.920 As if the more beautiful our prayer, 00:27:59.020 --> 00:28:00.840 the more likely God is to hear it. 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:02.740 And that is nonsense. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.839 Beautiful public prayers are helpful 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:09.639 if they help others to pray with you. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:11.059 But otherwise, 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:14.819 they are nothing but self-aggrandizing hypocrisy. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.879 So firstly, 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:19.339 just say what you mean 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:21.799 and pray simply from the heart, 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.779 remembering that the fewer the words, 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.179 the better the prayer. 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.599 And secondly, 00:28:28.599 --> 00:28:30.579 don't be scared of set prayers 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.139 don't hear me wrong here. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.599 Spontaneous prayer is great. 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:35.460 As I've just said, 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.919 it's good to say what you mean 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:38.619 and pray simply from the heart. 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:39.720 But the Bible itself 00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.939 is just full of really helpful prayers 00:28:41.939 --> 00:28:42.699 that we can pray. 00:28:43.319 --> 00:28:43.740 Of course, 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.659 there's the Lord's Prayer, 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:45.839 probably most obviously. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:48.299 There's also the Psalms. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.480 There are also prayers like this one 00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.539 that we've just read together 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:53.519 that with just a little bit of work, 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.319 as we've seen, 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.699 we can pray for ourselves 00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:58.279 or use to help us pray for ourselves. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.079 But not only the Bible, 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:02.220 there are also lots of really helpful books out there. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:03.419 I've plugged this one before. 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:05.839 I think it's actually quite difficult to get hold of. 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.579 But if you can, 00:29:06.699 --> 00:29:07.699 this is an excellent book, 00:29:07.819 --> 00:29:08.419 Valley of Vision. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:13.519 Sometimes we just don't have the words to say. 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:15.919 And very often prayers like these 00:29:15.919 --> 00:29:17.059 help guide us in our prayers. 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:19.559 So don't be afraid to use those. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.699 Much better to get praying. 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.079 Ultimately, 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:26.319 remembering for this church in Thessalonica 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:28.619 as they faced brutal persecution, 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:30.099 as they have this big wobbly 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.259 over the Lord's return, 00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.159 Paul says, 00:29:32.220 --> 00:29:33.519 Jesus has not yet returned, 00:29:33.939 --> 00:29:34.879 but he will, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.159 and he is victorious, 00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.460 and he will be victorious. 00:29:37.659 --> 00:29:38.399 And in the meantime, 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:38.859 grow. 00:29:39.879 --> 00:29:41.799 Grow in the light of his coming. 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.899 And this is the priority 00:29:43.899 --> 00:29:44.980 as you do that. 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.519 Get praying. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:49.700 So what do you do in the airport? 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:52.500 We've used that really in this sermon 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:54.920 basically as a metaphor for waiting for Jesus. 00:29:55.879 --> 00:29:56.700 But actually, 00:29:57.180 --> 00:29:58.960 like what do you use that time for? 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:00.400 Well, 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.799 you wait for that transfer, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.119 or you wait for the train, 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.259 or you're in the coffee shop 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:05.299 and your friend is late, 00:30:05.700 --> 00:30:07.059 or as you brush your teeth, 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:08.180 or walk to the bus stop, 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.480 or you sit on the bus. 00:30:10.660 --> 00:30:12.079 Do you know how much dead time 00:30:12.079 --> 00:30:13.099 there is in your day? 00:30:14.099 --> 00:30:15.160 Every time you're tempted 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.240 to get out your phone, 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.400 there are lots of good things, 00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:17.920 of course there are, 00:30:17.940 --> 00:30:19.120 that we can use our phones for, 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.860 but when we're tempted 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.980 to get it out 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.980 and just doom scroll 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.019 through our social media 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.840 drug of choice, 00:30:24.060 --> 00:30:25.440 that's dead time. 00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:28.060 That one study I saw 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:28.740 reckoned that we, 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:29.519 all of us, 00:30:29.540 --> 00:30:30.720 have at least an hour and a half 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.300 of dead time 00:30:31.300 --> 00:30:32.240 every single day. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.759 And I don't say that 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.420 to tell you 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.220 that you ought to be 00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.779 more productive 00:30:36.779 --> 00:30:37.740 with your dead time 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.420 to do more, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.440 to be more productive 00:30:39.440 --> 00:30:40.519 for the glory of God 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.460 or whatever it is, 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.480 in whatever it is 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.480 that you're already doing. 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:46.240 But simply to say 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.180 that there is nothing 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.900 more productive 00:30:47.900 --> 00:30:49.180 we can do with our time 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.840 than to pray. 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.660 And guys, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:53.160 there is so much time 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:54.300 that we have to use 00:30:54.300 --> 00:30:55.000 to pray with 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.960 and so much 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:57.060 that we can pray for. 00:30:58.060 --> 00:30:59.220 So just get praying. 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.920 And when we pray together, 00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:03.040 we're about to do that. 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:04.259 Be earnestly praying 00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:05.300 in your own heart. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.040 Whether you're comfortable 00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:08.240 praying out loud or not, 00:31:08.300 --> 00:31:09.560 be praying in your heart. 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:12.240 And whenever we gather together 00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.400 to pray as a church 00:31:13.400 --> 00:31:14.780 at our monthly prayer meetings 00:31:14.780 --> 00:31:16.560 or on Zoom tomorrow night 00:31:16.560 --> 00:31:17.500 or whenever else, 00:31:17.580 --> 00:31:18.740 can you make it a priority 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.560 to be there? 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.080 For it is. 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:23.740 It's a commandment. 00:31:24.300 --> 00:31:25.340 It's an instrument 00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:26.820 and it's for your nourishment. 00:31:27.660 --> 00:31:28.280 So pray. 00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.840 And when you do, 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:31.060 remember these priorities. 00:31:32.100 --> 00:31:32.980 Gospel encouragement, 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.759 gospel empowerment, 00:31:35.540 --> 00:31:36.820 and gospel advancement.