Paul now turns to other matters. It is interesting how the dramatic events of the apocalypse and the mundane things mentioned here go together. Christ will return, possibly very soon, but there is work to be done today, there is life to be lived today. The first thing Paul asks for is prayer that the message of the gospel will spread further. We should all be praying for that today. Note that though Paul was a great apostle he knew that he needed prayer if anything was to be achieved.
He also knew that there would be opposition, and this would come from wicked and evil people. We need to be utterly realistic about the state of man. People will oppose us, and not from good motives. Today the tactics used by some atheists, and by some proponents of gay rights, are evil in intent (I do emphasise the word "some" here, not all are like this). Not all of them are arguing from a genuine belief. So Paul prays to be delivered from such people. So he is realistic, but he is also confident that the Lord will protect them.
So the focus has switched from Paul preaching the gospel to the Thessalonians continuing to grow in faith. This would show itself if love and perseverance.
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