I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Once again, Paul tells the Believers to pray, and challenges me to improve my prayer life.  In particular, he asks them to pray for himself and those with him.  While asking for their prayers Paul writes that the Lord is faithful and will strengthen us.  There is a link between our praying for others and God strengthening us.  God strengthens us, and rescues us from the evil one, through our prayers.  Perhaps I am reading this wrong, but Paul transitions directly from talking about prayer to talking about the importance of working to meet our needs.  Not only does Paul tell us that we should work to support ourselves, he tells us to stay away from those who claim to be followers of Christ who do not do so.  Elsewhere Paul instructs Believers to take care of their fellow Believers who cannot take care of themselves.  Here he makes clear that we have no obligation to care for those who could care for themselves, but do not.  I truly believe that Paul intended for us to make a connection between working hard and prayer.  As we work to take care of ourselves and provide for those unable to provide for themselves, our prayer life will become stronger and more impactful.  As we pray more we will be more inclined to find additional ways to work in order to provide for ourselves and others.