READING: 1 Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: We know we need to pray for others, but that doesn’t mean we always find this task to be an easy one. We so often pray for others only when we hear they have a need; that is, we pray more reactively than proactively for one another.
When Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, though, he prayed proactively for them. Listen to his prayers for the believers in Thessalonica, and think about specific folks for whom you might pray today:
1 Thess. 3:12-13 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.
2 Thess. 1:11-12 And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What might happen if we prayed this way for others today, modeling our prayer after Paul’s prayers?
- God, give __________ overflowing love for others.
- Make __________ blameless and holy in preparation for Your return.
- Make __________ worthy of Your calling.
- Father, glorify Your Son through __________.
ACTION STEPS: Use these prayers to pray for five believers today. Let your devotional time be focused on God and others.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for the privilege of praying for these friends today. Please raise up someone who will pray the same way for me today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Acts 18:19-19:41