And Pray Ye Without Ceasing in Behalf of Other Men
As followers of Christ, we are called to pray without ceasing for others, to be ministers of God, and to imitate Christ's example of meekness, patience, and forgiveness.
Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of praying continuously for others, holding onto hope for their repentance and return to God. He encourages believers to be ministers of God and the mouth of Christ, guiding others with humility, gentleness, and meekness. Ignatius urges Christians to respond to hatred and persecution with kindness, making enemies into brethren for the glory of the Lord. He highlights the example of Jesus, who showed patience, forgiveness, and love even in the face of suffering and betrayal.
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And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men; for there is hope of the repentance, that they may attain to God. For "cannot he that falls arise again, and he that goes astray return?" Permit them, then, to be instructed by you. Be ye therefore the ministers of God, and the mouth of Christ. For thus saith the Lord, "If ye take forth the precious from the vile, ye shall be as my mouth." Be ye humble in response to their wrath; oppose to their blasphemies your earnest prayers; while they go astray, stand ye stedfast in the faith. Conquer ye their harsh temper by gentleness, their passion by meekness. For "blessed are the meek ; " and Moses was meek above all men; and David was exceeding meek.
Wherefore Paul exhorts as follows: "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." Do not seek to avenge yourselves on those that injure you, for says [the Scripture], If I have returned evil to those who returned evil to me."
Let us make them brethren by our kindness. For say ye to those that hate you, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the Lord may be glorified. And let us imitate the Lord, "who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; " when He was crucified, He answered not; "when He suffered, He threatened not ; "but prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do." If any one, the more he is injured, displays the more patience, blessed is he.
If any one is defrauded, if any one is despised, for the name of the Lord, he truly is the servant of Christ. Take heed that no plant of the devil be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. "Watch ye, and be ye sober," in Christ Jesus.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Prayer for Others
- A. Hope of repentance and salvation
- B. Instructing others through prayer and example
- II. Being a Minister of God
- A. Taking the precious from the vile
- B. Being a mouthpiece for Christ
- III. Responding to Adversity
- A. Humility in the face of wrath
- B. Gentle responses to harsh temperaments
- IV. Imitating Christ's Example
- A. Patience and meekness in the face of adversity
- B. Forgiveness and prayer for enemies
Key Quotes
“For thus saith the Lord, 'If ye take forth the precious from the vile, ye shall be as my mouth.'” — Ignatius of Antioch
“Blessed are the meek ; and Moses was meek above all men; and David was exceeding meek.” — Ignatius of Antioch
“Do not seek to avenge yourselves on those that injure you, for says [the Scripture], If I have returned evil to those who returned evil to me.” — Ignatius of Antioch
Application Points
- We should pray without ceasing for others, bringing hope of repentance and salvation.
- We should strive to be ministers of God, taking the precious from the vile and spreading Christ's message.
- We should imitate Christ's example by displaying patience, meekness, and forgiveness in the face of adversity.