And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (NET1)
Insight
God ordains the means as well as the end. In His eternal wisdom, our Lord has chosen to make us co-laborers with Him. One way this happens is when we earnestly pray for what He intends to do through us to bring glory to his name.
On the one hand, our salvation may be considered a finished work. Believers will never be more judicially righteous than they are the moment they place their faith in Christ. Our right standing with God is based upon Christ’s right standing. Our relationship as beloved sons is based on Christ’s perfect sonship. However acting in a manner that is worthy of this high calling is something that must be lived out every day. This is where we must engage God in prayer.
It takes faith and perseverance coupled with agape love and unswerving hope for us to fulfill our high calling in God. We can only do it by relying on the enabling power of God’s grace in the person of His indwelling Holy Spirit. God wants to impart to us a godly fear of falling short of that grace and high calling.
Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. Hebrews 4:1-2 (NASB)
Prayer
Lord, my desire if for my life to glorify your name. There is no higher calling. I ask you to make me worthy of your high calling by daily filling me to overflowing with your Spirit and power. By grace help me to serve you and my neighbor by doing works of faith and love in order in obedience to your teachings and the Spirit’s promptings. I believe you are working in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure, and that you will finish what you started in my life. Amen.
For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 (NET1)
