At times when a tragedy is reported, like the sinking of a ship at sea, we refer to those who died as lost souls. You might hear a commentator say, The vessel went down with 27 souls aboard. We tend to refer to a person as a soul only when they’ve passed from this life. But we already possess a soul, it’s just buried under layers of life.

John prayed for his good friend Gaius, using this language of soul. I pray for good fortune in everything you do, and for your good health—that your everyday affairs prosper, as well as your soul!

John prays for favorable life circumstances ( a prayer I utter daily for friends and family), as well as his friend’s health (every prayer gathering I’ve ever attended involved praying for someone’s health). Then John prayed for Gaius’s soul.

John prayed for a soul at peace, a generosity of spirit, a willingness to fully engage the Lord, and a view beyond circumstances to eternity. A flourishing life and robust health are wonderful, but a thriving soul tops them both. May our souls prosper as well.

While I pray often for health and circumstances, I rarely find myself praying for my friend’s souls. Perhaps you would like to join me in praying for our souls today:

Lord, help our souls get along well, even as health rises and falls, and we stumble over rocks in our path. Remind us that our souls, the very core of are being, remain safe in you.

3 John 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Robert Katzki