2 Thessalonians 1 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read 2 Thessalonians 1.

Meditate on verse 4.

We ourselves speak proudly of you

 among the churches of God

for your perseverance and faith

 in the midst of all your persecutions

 and afflictions which you endure.

Persecution did not let up for the believers in Thessalonica, but their perseverance was unwavering, for which Paul was thankful.  In the midst of affliction, their faith and love became greater.  Paul hand wrote this second letter to exhort and encourage them to not grow weary in doing good.

God’s Word is timeless and eternally preserved, so you can be encouraged in your faith.  In the midst of suffering, remember these truths (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10):

*God’s righteous judgment will prove you worthy of His kingdom.

*God will repay with affliction those who afflict you.

*God will give relief to you who are afflicted.

*The Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in

  flaming fire.

*The Lord Jesus will deal out retribution to those who do not obey His

   Gospel.

*The Lord Jesus will be marveled at among all who have believed.

Aren’t you thankful God wrote to remind you of these things?  When you are in the midst of trials, you need to know how the story ends.

Pray 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 over yourself and those for whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God, count _________ and me worthy of our calling,

and fulfill every desire for goodness

and the work of faith with power,

so that Your name, Lord Jesus,

will be glorified in us and us in You.

According to Your grace, God and Lord Jesus Christ~”

1 Thessalonians 5 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read 1 Thessalonians 5.

Meditate on verses 16-18.

Rejoice always;

pray without ceasing;

in everything give thanks,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do you want to know God’s will for your life?  God specifically tells you three things to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  It is God’s will for you to always rejoice, to unceasingly pray, and to give thanks in everything.  You learned in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 that your sanctification is also God’s will for your life.  Obeying the commands to rejoice, pray, and give thanks will expedite your process of becoming more and more pure and holy, more and more like Jesus.

Pray 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 over yourself and those for whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“God of peace, sanctify _________ and me entirely. 

May our spirit, soul, and body be preserved complete,

without blame at Your coming, Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Father, You are faithful; You have called us,

and You will bring it to pass.

In Your name, Jesus~”

(Sanctify means to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.)

1 Thessalonians 4 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read 1 Thessalonians 4.

Meditate on verse 3.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is,

you abstain from sexual immorality.

Paul was concerned about the sanctification of the Thessalonian Christians.  The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary defines sanctification as “the act of God’s grace by which the affections of men are purified from sin and the world and exalted to a supreme love to God.” 

It is God’s will for you to be sanctified.  In order to be in God’s will, you cannot be living in sin.  God commands you in 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5, to control your body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion. 

How is your sanctification coming?  Are you allowing sinful lusts to possess you, or are you allowing the Holy Spirit to possess you for the purpose of becoming more and more like Christ?  This letter to the Thessalonians is a letter written to you.  God is exhorting you in your walk to please Him and excel still more (1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10).

Pray 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3-5, and 7 over yourself and those for whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Lord, please let ____________ and me walk and please You.

Help us to excel still more in pleasing You.

Let us abstain from sexual immorality.

May we possess our bodies for

 sanctification and honor.

Do not let us allow lustful passion to possess us.

God, You have not called us for the purpose of impurity but for holiness.

Help us live in Your calling.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~

1 Thessalonians 3 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read 1 Thessalonians 3.

Meditate on verse 8.

For now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Paul was concerned about the Christians in Thessalonica.  He wanted to ensure they were not discouraged in their faith, that the tempter had not tempted them.  Paul had to know how they were doing, so he sent Timothy.  Paul was relieved when Timothy returned with good news about their faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:1-6).

One of the greatest joys in life is to know that those whom you are helping grow up in Christ are indeed standing firm in Him.  As a faithful, prayerful watchman, do not grow weary in praying for those God has put in your care.  Ask them how they and the Lord are doing.  You will REALLY live when you hear and see those you love  standing firm in Jesus.

Pray 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 12-13 over yourself and those for whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Lord, please let ________ and me stand firm in You. 

Lord, cause us to increase and abound in love

for one another and for all people,

so that You may establish our hearts without blame

in holiness before You, God and Father,

at the coming of our Lord Jesus.

In Your name, Jesus~”

1 Thessalonians 2 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read 1 Thessalonians 2.

Meditate on verse 12.

Walk in a manner worthy of the God

who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Prior to coming to Thessalonica to share the Gospel of God, Paul and Silas were beaten and put in prison at Philippi for sharing the truth of God’s Word (Acts 16:11-24).  After they were miraculously released from a Philippian jail, they made their way to Thessalonica.  Paul reasoned with the Thessalonians from the Scriptures explaining and giving evidence that Jesus is the Christ.  The result was the same as at Philippi; some people were persuaded to follow Christ, and some persecuted Paul, Silas, and the believers (Acts 17:1-9).

Why would these men persevere for the cause of Christ amid such opposition?  Why did beatings not silence these men?  There was no doubt in their mind that the Word of God was exactly that – the Word of Almighty God and not the word of men. It was worth sharing the Gospel of God amid much opposition because it was God’s Word.  Paul knew God’s Word would perform its work in those who believed.  God’s Word working in the lives of others was worth dying for.

Paul walked in a manner worthy of God who called him into His kingdom and glory.  Examine your behavior.  Do you please the One who died for you?  Do you walk in obedience to the Word of God?

Pray 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 over yourself and those for whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, please help ______________ and me walk in a manner worthy of You.

Thank You for calling us into Your own kingdom and glory.

May we receive Your Word for what it really is,

the Word of God, not the word of man.

Let Your Word perform its work in us.

In Your name, Jesus~”