Food for Thought

My Prayer for You

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in ◊ health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2 NKJV

John prays that the temporal prosperity and physical health of Gaius will be commensurate with his spiritual status, which his generosity and conduct reveal to be in a healthy and prosperous condition. Wishing the reader good health at the beginning of a letter was a common practice in ancient times, but John’s prayer was sincere, not a matter of social convention. As such, it gives a warrant for praying for the physical, the material, and the spiritual well-being of others, and it provides a model of intercession

Prosperity Is a Result, GOD’S ABUNDANCE. It is clear that God wants His children to prosper. How can anyone deny that? However, prosperity should not be the end in itself. It ought to be the result of a quality of life, commitment, dedication, and action that is in line with God’s Word. In this text the word “prosper” (Greek euodoo ) literally means “to help on the road” or “succeed in reaching.” It clearly implies that divine prosperity is not a momentary, passing phenomenon, but rather it is an ongoing, progressing state of success and well-being. It is intended for every area of our lives: the spiritual, the physical and emotional, and the material. However, God does not want us to unduly emphasize any one area. We must maintain a balance.

Luke 6:38 / Mark 10:17–27

health, hugiaino (hoog-ee- ahee -no); Strong's # 5198 : Compare “hygiene” and “hygienic.” To be sound in body, in good health. Metaphorically, the word refers to sound doctrine ( 1 Tim. 1:10 ; 2 Tim. 4:3 ; Titus 2:1 ); sound words ( 1 Tim. 6:3 ; 2 Tim. 1:13 ); sound words ( 1 Tim. 6:3 ; 2 Tim. 1:13 ); and a soundness in the faith ( Titus 1:13 ; 2:1 ).