Not all have faith

Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. – 2 Thessalonians 3.1-2

Those words ‘not all have faith’ are some of the most tragic words we can read. As part of Paul’s prayer requests he asked the believers to pray that

The word of God would run swiftly

The word of God would be glorified

That they might be delivered from ‘unreasonable and wicked men’

And the reason was simple – there are people who don’t yet have faith.  At best those faith are not going to understand. Some who don't have faith are going to oppose us. And some who don't have faith may even attack us. These 'unreasonable and wicked men' can pose a threat and we need prayer because of them.

Because 'not all have faith' there are two major things to pray for. We need to pray that God's word go forth and we need to pray for protection from opposition.

Paul write to the Corinthians - 'Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.'

Sure, we have opponents out there. There are unreasonable men. Our desire should not be to get back at them or hurt them – our desire should be to bring them to faith in Christ. And that should be our prayer.