November 21, 2015
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:12
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
Questions for Reflection:
What does Paul pray for the Thessalonians in this verse? Paul identifies two groups that the Thessalonians should love in response to what the Lord has done for them. What are those two groups? Who are the “each others” that Paul references in verse 12? If “each other” refers to the church, who does “everyone else” refer to? How are you doing in loving others within the church? How are you doing at loving those outside the church?
In his book, Praying with Paul, DA Carson writes:
“If we will follow Paul’s example, then, we will never overlook the monumental importance of praying for others. Prayer will never descend to the level where it is nothing more than a retreat house in which we find strength for ourselves…We will see it is part of our job to approach God with thanksgiving for others and with intercessions for others. In short, our praying will be shaped by our profound desire to seek what is best for the people of God.”
It is important that we learn to pray for others. You cannot love someone that you are not praying for as well. Spend time today reflecting on those within your faith community. Pray for them, by name. Think of those outside the church, perhaps it is the person driving you crazy. Spend time today praying for them as well. We believe that God acts in power in our world when we pray. So pray like it’s real today.