How the Word Wins

Transcript of the segment on the Second Prayer – A Request:
The second prayer is there just eight verses later, v. 11. This one’s a request. Chapter 1 v.11 says, “We always pray for you that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve of good and every work of faith by his power.” Paul, in the first prayer, looked back, looked to the present saying, “I’m so grateful that you are still growing. But I also want to look to the future and petition God, plead with God that he would grant you perseverance to finish to the end. That you would keep walking with Christ, even in the midst of a hostile environment.” Again, Paul doesn’t thank them and say, “Wow, you know, the type of person you are, I know you are going to finish strong. I just know you are. You come from good stock.” No. He says, “It will be up to God if you finish. And we’re going to ask him that you finish.”