During our prayer meetings over the last couple of weeks, we have been enjoying looking at the prayers of Paul together. The Apostle included many prayers in his writings and they’re helpful to us for learning how we might shape our own prayers. Consider this passage, which we looked at this past Tuesday:
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:3–12 (ESV)
The basic structure of this introduction to the letter goes likes this:
- Paul’s gratitude for the Thessalonians’ growth in faith and love (v3–4)
- Persecution and affliction are evidence that God has chosen the Thessalonians (v5–10)
- Paul’s prayer that the Thessalonians would keep going (v11–12)
Why do I mention all of this? In one of our meetings, one person pointed out that she had begun to set an alarm to remind herself to pray a Bible verse everyday. As a result of spending that time praying and being reminded of God’s word, no matter what was going on when the alarm went off, she was more aware of opportunities to share the gospel and to care for those around her.
This was an incredibly encouraging thing to hear and so I want to recommend it to you.
Consider setting an alarm for yourself as a reminder to pray Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians. Pray that God would work in your brothers and sisters here. Thank God for the signs of godly growth that you see in them. Pray that God would keep them growing in the faith until Jesus’ return. Pray that you and they would live with God’s priorities in mind.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
Pastor Dan