Hope, Fear & Fitting in

The way we pray for the Church and it’s people reveals our own faith. Paul is concerned for the faith, love and holiness of the church in Thessalonica. His prayer not only reveals his priorities, but will have us examining ours, especially in light of the promise that Jesus Christ can return at any moment. When He does, will we fit in with His Kingdom or the world’s?

Scripture

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 ESV But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Bible Study Questions

Affliction can strengthen or weaken our faith

Paul sent Timothy to find out how the church in Thessalonica was coping with the fact that he had suffered serious persecution and had to leave Thessalonica at night. Why would the persecution of Paul affect their faith?

1 Thessalonians 3:4-5 ESV For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Good news despite suffering

Instead of the church’s faith weakening under persecution Timothy not only reported that their faith was strong, but also two other aspects of good news from the church which comforted Paul. What were these two aspects?

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 ESV But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

Purpose, meaning and joy through the Gospel

What was it that gave Paul a sense of meaning and value and filled him with joy?

1 Thessalonians 3:8-9 ESV For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

Prayer priorities for the Kingdom

Paul and his team prayed for the the chance to further build up the faith of the church, and then raised two other requests to God on behalf of the believers in Thessalonica. What are these two priorities?

1 Thessalonians 3:10-13 as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? 11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Prayer Priorities for the Church

Think about Paul’s three priorities for prayer for the church. What do we pray for most often for those we know and love in the church? Why is it so important that we prioritise praying for holiness for ourselves and those we serve with?

Hebrews 12:14 ESV Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Romans 8:29 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Can we pray for health and well being?

Prayer for health and well-being

In making prayer for holiness, faith and love our priority, can we still pray for health and welfare for ourselves and others in the Church?

3 John 1:2 ESV Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

James 5:13-16 ESV Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Fitting in with God’s Kingdom

1 Thessalonians 3:13 reminds us that Jesus can return at any time, and that He will return with His saints. The word saints translated is “holy ones”, just as Zechariah also prophesies. What type of people is the Kingdom of God made up of, and what must we be in order to fit in?

Zechariah 14:4-5 ESV On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. 5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

Prayer

Dear Father God in Heaven, please forgive us when we get our priorities wrong and end up drifting into the world and trying to fit into it’s ways. Please build our faith, love and holiness and remind us to pray that for each other. Thank You that it is You and You alone who can do this for us, and that we can trust You to bring to completion what You have already started. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Worship

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth, and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Service

Prayer groups and chains are absolutely wonderful, how good it is to celebrate God’s grace when He answers our prayers for healing and for the well being of those in our Church and outside of her. Paul is a reminder though, that we need to pray for increased stronger faith, growing love and holiness for those in His Church. The best way we can serve Christian brothers and sisters is to pray for them and encourage their faith, love and holiness. Whenever we pray for healing, or blessing for others let us not forget the most important prayers for them. We must pray that we will all be ready when Jesus returns.