Episode Description
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. (2 Thess. 3:2)
Expanded Passage: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2
I grew up in the church and remember as a kid sitting through slide show presentations with missionaries from around the world. I remember how impressive it seemed that someone would go to a different country with a completely different language and culture to share about Jesus. However, to be honest, it was difficult for me to relate to their experience—or to know what to do in response.
Paul was the preeminent missionary of the early church, taking the gospel to hard places like Thessalonica. Shortly before Paul wrote his two letters to the Christians in Thessalonica, he had served them as a missionary. He shared the good news of a new king who was killed for the sins of the world yet was resurrected and is still alive. And many Thessalonians began to follow this new king, Jesus. After being forced to leave because of persecution, Paul was in danger in a new place, and he called on the Christians in Thessalonica to pray for him.
Some people are called to go, while others are called to pray and to give to support the spread of the gospel around the world. Are you called to go? If not, pray today for those who do go and who find themselves in hard places.
Pray today for those who take the gospel to hard places.
Branden Petersen is the cofounder/pastor of Resurrection Life NYC in Manhattan with his wife, Jenn. He is also the founder and director of the urban church planting network, Global Cities Network.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.