Paul’s Prayer for the Church

Ken_RaimundThis morning I traveled to Denver for the memorial service for Raimund Ruf. Raimund began attending church when I was the pastor at Dakota Ridge Church. I had the opportunity to baptize Raimund and to renew the wedding vows between Raimund and his wife Patricia on their 25th wedding anniversary. The two had just marked 40 years of marriage this year. He diagnosed with stage four cancer just over a year ago. I was able to reconnect with him in the past two years when he helped with a new roof on my mother’s house. (My first “selfie” attempt was with Raimund.)

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus…cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.  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.”                   1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 HCSB

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians reveals his more “softer side.” Paul has endured much for the faith. The concern for the churches weighed heavy on him as we read in his second letter to the Corinthians when he says, “…I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 11:28 NIV)

We see the apostle’s desire for God’s people as he offers this prayer for the church. Paul asks the Lord to “direct his way to [the Thessalonians].” His desire was to be among them once again to encourage and strength them in the faith. Personal relationship is at the heart of God’s kingdom. “God so loved the world that He send His only Son…” (John 3:16) As Jesus called twelve men to follow Him we read it was for the express purpose, “… that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14 NIV)

In keeping with this focus we see Paul’s desire to be with the Thessalonians and then he prays that their love for one another and for others would “increase and overflow.” Remember love is not just how you “feel” about someone, it is how you “act” toward others. Paul wrote to the Galatians and said, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:10 NIV) John wrote, “…let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18 NIV) When we look at the description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, we see that the list is what love does and what love does not “do.”

Paul’s prayer focuses on how believers are to “love” and to “live.” His desire is for the church to be a model of holiness and right actions in the midst of a world that values sin and corruption. He calls them to be “sanctified” not because they are naturally, “better than” others, but because of who they are committed to. Our love for Christ is to compel our actions and motivate our lifestyle.

It seems basic, but there is power in how we “love” and how we “live.” It speaks to the reality of Christ and of God’s love and transforming power in our lives. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is an important prayer for the church today.

Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for the change that You bring to our life. A change that is to be evident in how we love and how we live. Thank You for the motivation that comes to our life when we realize that one day You will return and we will be with You forever.