Prayer Is Life’s Greatest Time Saver
Table of Contents
- The Principle of Prayer
- Pray for Us (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)
- The Obligation to Work and Avoid Disorder (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
- The Benediction of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)
- Application: Prayer Saves Time by Aligning Us with God
Beloved friend, in a world that measures success by how much we accomplish, Life Principle 27 declares a surprising truth: prayer is life’s greatest time saver. When we stop to pray, we do not lose time; we gain direction, protection, and effectiveness. The apostle Paul understood this and asked the Thessalonians to pray for him so that the word of the Lord might run swiftly. Let us open the Scriptures and learn.
The Principle of Prayer
Prayer is not a pause that wastes hours; it is the act that prevents wasted hours. When we pray, God orders our steps, guards us from the evil one, and multiplies the fruit of our labor. Time spent in prayer is time invested in the only plan that never fails.
Pray for Us (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5)
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,
2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Paul’s first request is prayer: pray that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, and that he may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. He reminds them that the Lord is faithful, who will establish them and guard them from the evil one. Prayer invites the Lord to direct hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. That direction saves years of wandering.
The Obligation to Work and Avoid Disorder (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15)
2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (NKJV)
6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
Prayer does not replace work; it empowers orderly work. Paul commands withdrawal from those who walk disorderly. He and his companions worked night and day so they would not be a burden. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Some were busybodies instead of working. The command is to work in quietness and eat one’s own bread. Do not grow weary in doing good. Prayer keeps us from the time-wasting patterns of idleness and interference.
The Benediction of Peace (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18)
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
The chapter ends with the prayer that the Lord of peace Himself would give peace always in every way. The Lord is with us all, and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us. Peace that comes from prayer prevents the wasted energy of anxiety and conflict.
Application: Prayer Saves Time by Aligning Us with God
Friend, prayer is life’s greatest time saver. When you pray, the word of the Lord runs swiftly, the Lord guards you from the evil one, and your heart is directed into the love of God and the patience of Christ. Prayer keeps you working in quietness rather than busying yourself with disorder. It gives you the peace that frees you from frantic effort. Do not treat prayer as an interruption of your schedule. Treat it as the greatest investment of your time. Stop, pray, and then watch God redeem the hours.
Amen.