WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: You have the privilege of prayer. How will you use that right now? Depending on God Both Paul and the Thessalonians suffered for following Jesus. (If you want to know what Paul went through, read 2 Corinthians 11:23–29.) So it is not surprising that in the final part of his letter Paul prays for the Thessalonians (v 5) and urges them to pray for him (vs 1,2). Paul knew that the only way he could face and overcome persecution (in whatever form it came) was to trust God to give him what he needed. We express our dependence on God through prayer. Prayer priorities When we pray, we are affirming that we believe God has the strength and the power to change our situation (v 3). When we pray, we are saying that we trust God to be good and faithful, true to his nature (v 3). Take another look at Paul’s prayer priorities (vs 1,2,5). Did you notice that his concern that the message of Jesus is heard and accepted takes precedence over prayers for his own safety? And his prayer for the Thessalonians is not that they be spared the suffering but that they would experience God’s love (whatever the circumstances) and be given the ability to endure (v 5). Respond: Pray for your own fellowship or another known to you. Pray for individuals within those fellowships: for passion, courage and perseverance in telling others about Christ. Pray also that they would know God’s presence and protection. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-11-02