Study 5: Praying with Paul
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
Big idea: Paul’s prayers reflect the most important eternal desires of God for his church.
Aim: to help us shape our prayers for others around God’s word.
- What is prayer and why do we pray?
- What does prayer look like for you in daily life? (be honest – no one is judging… we can all struggle and feel guilty about our prayer life)
Story so far:
The Thessalonian Church was planted during a visit by Paul and cut short due to persecution. The young church is growing strong and is enduring through trials and persecution. It brings Paul much joy to know that God is holding them firm in their faith. He is keen to encourage them, so he lets them know he is praying for them and longs to see them
In this study we will see that in writing to the church in Thessalonica, Paul structures his letter around three prayers which help us see his deepest desire for the church.
Read:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NIV)
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (NIV)
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
First impressions
What strikes you about what Paul does or does not pray for?
Digging in
- What themes do we see repeated in the prayers?
- How do they link with what we have seen so far in the letter?
- How might these be encouraging to the Thessalonian church?
- In what ways is God described?
Talk:
Living it out:
- Bearing in mind that Jesus is going to return, how might you pray for the current situations in your life?
- In what ways is God at work to make you more holy just now? How might you pray for this in your life?
- Have you ever shared with someone what you’ve been praying for them? How did that go? How might you pray for someone you are concerned about in light of Paul’s prayers?
Pray together for one another – try to ask for prayer for the eternal work in your life as well as the situations that seem more pressing.
Going further
Why not meet with someone and talk about what you find helpful in your own prayer life? Some people use journals and lists, some have photo prompts, some use bible apps, some use daily scripture and there are many other ways too. Try something new or ask one another to pray for your prayer life. Accountability helps.
Read Ephesians 1:15-23
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
- What does this passage say?
- What timeless principle does it teach?
- How do I apply this to my life?
