Pray for us.

You can’t read Paul’s letters to Thessalonica without being convicted. We should pray for one another. For the glory of Christ and his church take the following challenge seriously. Each week I include a prayer focus in the bulletin and small group guide. Only through prayer will we experience the revitalization and growth we all long for. We may disagree at times what it will look like; we all agree the source — by faith in the power of God.

Use 1-2 Thessalonians to pray for us this week.

1 Thessalonians 1:2–3 (ESV)
2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 3:11–12 (ESV)
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,

1 Thessalonians 5:23–25 (ESV)
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 (ESV)
3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 (ESV)
11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 (ESV)
13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (ESV)
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 3:1–3 (ESV)
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

Now, just for a moment, imagine if we all prayed these prayers for one another. How much would our love for another grow? How much deeper would our faith be? God is preparing us for future days. He is faithful.

You can find the small group guide here (Spirit and Truth for 10/15/17). You can also download the Message 2017 Bible Reading Guide here (The Message).