May your Soul Prosper!

by Clarissa Finley

I would like to share a Bible verse that I have been thinking about for several days.

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. {New King James Version}

This is the way God views life for his children – a life that is truly blessed. First we are called Beloved. Take a moment to remember that you are a loved one of God.

What does God desire for the Beloved? He desires for us to prosper or be blessed.
Just as our soul prospers, all other areas of life are to follow the soul’s health.

Our soul is our mind, our will and our emotions. These are areas that we have control over. Satan will always try to whisper to us, but we can choose what to think about, and how we react to things that happen to us. We can choose to read God’s word, to memorize God’s word, to meditate on his word and direction for us. This allows us to make wise choices in life and honor God. With the help of the Holy Spirit we have the ability to keep our mind focused on God.

When our soul is secure in our Lord Jesus we are free to live an abundant and free life, no matter what our circumstances might be. We can depend on God to enliven our souls in ways that will better our lives and the lives of the people around us

Our will to trust God, humble ourselves to Him, obey and serve God is a true sign of a prosperous, healthy soul.

Our emotions will be guided by the Holy Spirit so that we will have compassion for others, and love for the circumstances others face.

Our character will continually by shaped by God’s word, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. When our mind, our will, and our emotions ----our total soul, is in tune with God, that is a soul that prospers.

What about the first half of the verse?
“I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health….”

God knows we have earthly needs for all the necessities of life and we need health. But to whatever degree we have those things we know that God’s desire for us is to prosper.

That encourages us to always pray that the sick be healed. Some how we have been falsely taught that we are not sure how to pray since “may God doesn’t plan to heal that person.” Did you ever entertain that idea? No, we can pray in confidence for health, knowing that God desires the best for each of us. All we need to remember is that it is our calling to pray and God will answer in a way that is best.


It also frees us to pray for financial blessings. Knowing God wants his children to prosper financially in order that we will be a blessing to others. Our Lord Jesus is most generous, loving, and desires that we prosper in all ways just as our soul prospers.