The Axios Prayer

In my Bible reading, I have been going through the letters of Paul that he wrote to the young churches that he had planted. Today I read the first chapter of 2 Thessalonians and came across the prayer that inspired the name "Axios" in verses 11-12 and was reminded again of how great this prayer is. Here are just some thoughts on that prayer:

With this in mind, - he was just writing about the inevitable return of Jesus where He will exercise judgment on those who do not believe and will glorify Himself in those who believe. Both are motivations to follow the Lord faithfully which should result in the rescue of those who are lost and a life that brings glory to God.

we constantly pray for you, - this was very important to Paul and it caused him to pray.

that our God may count you worthy of his calling, - we were "saved" from something but also"called" to something. We were saved from God's inevitable judgment through Jesus Christ and called to a life of love and good works. Paul prays that we will live up to this calling. There is a lot riding on this.

and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours - that God's power will get behind every good intention and every good idea that we have to fulfill His calling on our lives so that it will amount to something great for His kingdom.

and every act prompted by your faith. - What is your faith prompting you to do? How is it moving you? What do you see yourself accomplishing for God? What action do you need God's power to work through you in order to accomplish? What need is your faith moving you to meet?

We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, - this is how you bring honor to the name of Jesus.

and you in him, - and through this, Jesus will also honor you.

according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. - but it all comes back to the grace and favor of God.