3 John 1:2

Letters to the Faithful - 3 John 1:2

Berean Standard Bible

Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers.

King James Bible

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

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To all the saints of God who walk in truth, beloved by the Father and preserved in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I write to you with affection and deep concern, praying that you are flourishing in both soul and body. My heart is gladdened when I hear of your faith and see evidence of your love for one another. May the peace of the Lord abound in you, and may His wisdom guide you into wholeness in every area of life.

It is a sacred and worthy desire that you would prosper in all things and be in good health, even as your soul prospers. These words, simple in expression yet profound in implication, carry within them the very heart of our Lord for His people. The Christian life is not meant to be one of mere spiritual theory, disconnected from the body and the earth. No—our salvation touches the whole person. As we are being renewed inwardly by the Spirit, so too ought we to reflect that renewal in the outward rhythms of our life: in how we care for our minds, our bodies, our relationships, and the daily labor to which we have been assigned.

Yet we must be careful, for many in the world speak of prosperity and health without reference to the soul. They pursue gain without godliness, and they chase wellness without wisdom. But you, beloved, must see rightly. The soul is the foundation. When the soul is anchored in truth, peace follows. When the soul is nourished by the Word of God, strength flows from within. When the soul walks in the light of Christ, even suffering can be endured with grace, and physical affliction, though painful, cannot shake the eternal hope that secures you.

That being said, do not think the Lord is indifferent to your bodily condition. He created you in His image, formed you in the womb, and called your body a temple of His Spirit. He does not despise your weakness, nor is He glorified by your neglect of what He has entrusted. Therefore, care for your body—not as an idol to be worshiped, but as a vessel to be honored. Let your habits be disciplined. Let your rest be holy. Let your labor be honest. Let your meals be received with thanksgiving and moderation. Let not anxiety rule your health, but let prayer, faith, and good stewardship shape your well-being.

In the same way, prosper in your dealings with others. Let your relationships be marked by truth and love. Be generous in spirit, patient in conflict, and quick to forgive. Prosper in humility, in service, in quiet obedience to God’s call. Let your success not be measured by worldly standards, but by faithfulness in the things that please your Father.

But let us return to the soul, for this is the true center. How does a soul prosper? A soul prospers when it abides in truth. Not merely when it agrees with doctrine, but when it lives in joyful submission to it. A soul prospers when it walks in the light—free from the bondage of hidden sin, transparent before God, and open to His correction. A soul prospers when it is nourished daily by the Word, and when it prays without ceasing—not as a ritual, but as breath. A soul prospers when it treasures Christ above all else, when it loses interest in empty applause and finds delight in obedience. A soul prospers when it is humble, when it repents quickly, and when it rejoices in the success of others. A soul prospers when it is not tossed to and fro by every wind, but stands firm in the truth of the gospel.

Do not wait for outward conditions to be perfect before you seek inner prosperity. Prosper now. Cultivate a rich life in Christ even when the body is tired, even when resources are lean, even when circumstances press hard. For the soul anchored in God can sing in the midnight hour, can praise in the prison cell, and can bless even those who curse. And from that inward strength, you will find that even your outward life is shaped. Your decisions will carry wisdom. Your steps will be guided by peace. Your health, though still subject to frailty, will be cared for with greater reverence and gratitude.

I urge you, then, to consider your ways. Do not separate your spiritual walk from your physical existence. Let your whole life be surrendered. Let all prosperity begin in the secret place of communion with God. Let your desires be purified, your ambitions refined, and your priorities reordered. Then, as you walk in truth and abide in Christ, you will find that He is sufficient for all things—body and soul, now and forever.

Pray for one another, that you may be healed. Encourage the weak. Bear with the struggling. Speak life, not flattery. Offer counsel, not control. And be a people known not by what you possess, but by the fruit of righteousness, the peace of Christ, and the joy of salvation.

May the God who gives life to the soul also sustain your body, and may you glorify Him in both. May you be kept from false teaching, from pride in prosperity, and from despair in affliction. May your lives preach the gospel of wholeness found in Christ alone, and may you walk in step with the Spirit, full of hope, health, and holiness.

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Gracious and Eternal Father, Source of all life and goodness, we come before You with grateful hearts, knowing that You delight in the well-being of Your children. You are the God who formed us not only in spirit, but in body and mind, breathing Your breath into dust, crafting us in Your image, and calling us to walk in the fullness of life that flows from Your heart. And so today, Lord, we lift this prayer not only for spiritual renewal, but for wholeness in every part of our being.

We thank You, O God, for the life You have given us in Christ Jesus—life that does not perish, life that overcomes death, life that renews our soul and leads us into truth. You have made us alive together with Him, and You have given us more than salvation from sin; You have offered us communion with You, the restoration of our whole selves, and the strength to live each day in joy, peace, and purpose. So we ask, in Your mercy, that You cause our souls to prosper. Let the deep places of our hearts be cultivated in Your presence. Let the roots of our faith grow deep in the soil of Your Word. Let our inner life be marked by intimacy with You—where there is no room for pretense, no place for fear, only trust, transformation, and truth.

Sanctify our thoughts, Lord. Let them be pure and fixed on what is good. Guard our emotions, that we may not be ruled by anxiety, bitterness, or anger, but rather find rest in Your peace. Heal the bruises we carry in hidden places—wounds from past failures, disappointments, or betrayals. Let Your Spirit move through our hearts like a gentle river, washing away the residue of the past, and renewing us with the waters of life. Give us strength to forgive where we have held grudges, courage to confront where we have hidden, and grace to begin again where we have faltered.

As You prosper our souls, Lord, we also pray for health in our bodies. You are not indifferent to our weakness. You see our pain. You know our frailty. You are the God who heals, the One who touched the blind and the broken, who lifted the sick from their beds and restored strength to failing limbs. While we live in these mortal frames, we ask for Your sustaining power. Grant health to our bones, clarity to our minds, stamina for our work, and rest for our weariness. Help us to steward our bodies with wisdom—not chasing vanity, but walking in discipline. Teach us to rest when we are weary, to nourish ourselves with care, to resist what is harmful, and to honor You in how we live day by day.

We pray also for the prosperity of all that concerns us—for our homes, our vocations, our relationships, our ministry. But let us never chase success apart from surrender. Let all increase begin with righteousness. Let all provision be accompanied by contentment. Let us not covet what others have or build our lives upon the fragile foundations of ambition and pride. Rather, may everything we touch bear witness to Your faithfulness. Let our labor be honest, our pursuits meaningful, our words edifying, and our daily tasks filled with purpose. May our tables be full of thanksgiving, our conversations full of grace, and our lives a witness to Your abundant kindness.

O Lord, keep us from the error of measuring prosperity by outward abundance alone. Remind us that to prosper in the soul is the truest wealth, and that peace with You is of greater value than gold. Let not envy find a home in us. Let not despair take root when our circumstances are lean. Teach us to walk in trust—when we are full and when we hunger, when we abound and when we are brought low—knowing that You are our portion and that our times are in Your hands.

Bless the lonely with comfort, the discouraged with hope, the confused with clarity, and the anxious with rest. Multiply peace among us, O Lord. Let harmony reign in our households, and love govern our fellowship. Where there is division, bring reconciliation. Where there is exhaustion, bring refreshing. And where there is striving, bring stillness in Your presence.

Raise up in us a generation who do not merely speak of prosperity, but who live whole and holy lives. Let us be people of balance, of virtue, of integrity, of sound judgment. Let our faith be evident not just in our worship, but in our conduct. Let the prosperity of our souls be seen in the way we give, serve, lead, follow, and bless.

Lord, we do not seek comfort for its own sake, nor health as an idol, nor prosperity as a badge. We seek You. And in seeking You, we find the One who holds all things together, who gives richly all we need, and who delights in the flourishing of His people. So we entrust every part of our lives into Your hands—our souls, our bodies, our hopes, and our days.

Be glorified in us. Keep us faithful. Keep us joyful. Keep us strong. And let it be said of Your people that they prospered—not merely in wealth or health, but in grace, in truth, and in love, even as their souls prospered in You.

In the name of the One who makes all things whole, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.