PRAY FOR US
OPENING PRAYER:
Thank You, Spirit of God for interceding for me before the throne of God. I rest in Your care today.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always, pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 1 Thessalonians 5:12–28
REFLECT:
Who have you been actively praying for lately?
Paul’s letter is full of warm affection, gospel truth and practical instruction. He almost races to his farewell, trying to cram in as much as possible before he signs off, making these last few verses rich with specific guidance and teaching. In verses 12–22, which of his instructions do you find most helpful? Most challenging? Central to his encouragement of the Thessalonians is the faithfulness of God (24). This reassures us that we are not working in order to prove ourselves to each other or to God, but actively allowing the Spirit to work within us. The outcome of this is wonderful: love, peace, encouragement, patience, kindness, joy, prayer, and gratitude.
For Paul, prayer is a natural part of a relationship with God, but also a means of encouragement. Just as Paul has prayed for the Thessalonians, he asks them to pray for him and those he is working alongside (25): being a Christian is not an individual spiritual experience. Experiencing God’s love is inseparable from expressing it through a holy and honorable life, both for the benefit of others and for God’s glory.
APPLY:
Write a letter or text someone. It could be to someone on your list of people to pray for. Encourage them in their faith using some of the words and ideas from 1 Thessalonians to help you.
CLOSING PRAYER:
God, I pray for my friends. May they come to know You more deeply. May I be an example and encouragement to them.