Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
Praying 1 Thessalonians – Paul’s Prayers
Praying 1 Thessalonians – Paul’s Prayers (A Prayer Commentary)
TEXT: See Devotional:
DEVOTIONAL: When thinking of Paul’s prayers, my mind immediately goes to Ephesians which records, possibly, the most thought-provoking written prayers in the NT (e.g., 1:15-19; 3:14-21). 1 Thessalonians records a short, beautiful prayer in 3:11-13:
(CSB) 11) Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. 12) And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you. 13) 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.
Besides this brief prayer however, there are at least ten references to prayer in this short letter: 1:2; 1:3-4; 2:13; 3:9; 3:10; 3:11-13; 5:17; 5:18; 5:23; 5:25. What we learn from this is the importance of praying for others – and letting others know! Let me probe our consciences with this question: Are we completely backwards in our prayer priorities? By this I mean, is this our order of importance by virtue of time spent in prayer: 1) ourselves first, 2) others second, 3) and praising God last? I suggest a healthy prayer attitude first glorifies God, second prays for others, and lastly petitions God for ourselves. One way we can spend more time in prayer for others is by mentioning them one by one, naming their names, praying for their needs, especially spiritual needs, or counting them as our blessings, one by one.
PRAYER: Oh, mighty God, hearer of all my prayers, let me remember your goodness towards others, including me, by my lifting up in prayer the needs and blessings of others. May I spend more time glorifying You as the only true God. May I spend more time considering others. May I be less thoughtless and selfish in my prayers concerning me. In the name of Him who taught His disciples how to pray, Amen.
Comments