Pray for one another!
Paul is praying a beautiful prayer for his fellow believers in Thessalonica. The reason he is doing so is not only because he always does this to end off his letters. Even less is he doing so because it is the right thing to do. He does it because he really cares for the people of Thessalonica and because he truly believes that God answers prayers. He knows that God will make happen what he asks for. He believes it whole-heartedly.
We should also pray more for one another. We must pray for family, friends and celebrities. But also for strangers. You may be the first and only one to bring a person before the Lord. I have had to pray for many people I didn’t really want to pray for.
I still remember at the start of the crossroads.com ministry I sent the first message to all the e-mail addresses on my computer. A couple of people clicked on the “remove me from your address list” button. But one was more like a bucket of ice-cold water over my head:
I NEVER WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN!
AND IF I DO RECEIVE THIS SENTIMENTAL … AGAIN, I WILL NOT BE SO POLITE AGAIN.
REMOVE ME FROM YOUR … LIST!
I DIDN’T CONTACT YOU!
My wife pulled me from the hole with insightful words of wisdom: “We can pray for her! Maybe nobody is praying for her. This is our chance to pray for someone who really needs it.”
In a way, this person revealed a part of herself, opened a piece of her heart and unknowingly begged that someone pray for her. And we had the privilege of doing so!
You can also do it. Pray for those people with Paul and me:
23May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. 24The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it!
There is no chance that you or I or even the greatest pastor on earth or any other Christian can change other people’s lives and hearts. Yes, we can pray and we can be an example, but it is God’s power only and through the work of his Holy Spirit that people can turn around 180 degrees. Only God, through Christ’s death on the cross can delete the swear words from our and their lives, because He does it with blood
We can’t.
We must pray, because God will do his part. Watch! Trust! Wait! Do not stop, because God promised that He will answer our prayers. And note, God not only hears like we do, He acts.
God is with each of us. He walks with us every minute of the day. God is also with those who think that they can get rid of God and the things of God by using swear words and more. But He doesn’t let go. He loves us too much.
Therefore, pray and pray and pray for everybody around you. God will act!
Scripture
Reflection
Who can you pray for?
Can you make your prayer become actions?
I’m just wondering!
Prayer
Like Paul, I pray: May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it! Amen.