2 Thessalonians 3:1

"Finally" introduces the last major section of the epistle. As was so often his custom, Paul first exhorted his readers to pray (1 Timothy 2:1-2; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:25; et al.). He realized that God will work in response to the requests of His people. To fail to pray is to fail to receive God’s blessings (James 4:2). Specifically, Paul asked the Thessalonians to ask God to facilitate the rapid and wide dissemination of the gospel and thus glorify His Word. Paul’s readers had seen God do this in their midst when Paul and his fellow missionaries first visited their city.

"Paul was a very great apostle. But his greatness consisted not so much in sheer native ability (though he had his share of that) as in his recognition of his dependence on God. It arises out of this that he so often requests the prayers of those to whom he ministers." [Note: Morris, The First . . ., p. 244.]