Years ago I heard a preacher say, “Prayer can do anything God can do!” That is an awesome thought. When we pray, we are asking the Creator of the universe to do something for us. Our ability to help others is often limited, but one thing that we can always do is pray for them.

Paul believed in prayer and practiced prayer daily. He set a great example for us to follow.

Transition

In our text this morning, Paul expressed his threefold prayer for the Thessalonian believers. We too ought to pray these three prayers for others.

He was Praying for Their Perfection, 3:9-11

1. Paul’s prayer was continual
   1. He thanked God again for them.
   2. He prayed night and day.
   3. The word “praying” here describes a longing, begging, supplication.
   4. When you have a burden on your heart, it is on your mind continually. That is the way Paul felt about the Thessalonian believers. They came to his mind often and he prayed for them often.
      ☆ One of the best things you can do for those you know are weak Christians is to pray for their spiritual growth.
2. Paul’s prayer was specific
   1. He long to see their faces again. He prayed that God would direct his way to them (v.11). Paul believed that the best way for him to build up those babes in Christ was to spend quality time teaching them in person.
   2. He longed to perfect that which was lacking in their faith.
      1. The word “perfect” means to make sound or complete. It means to equip and to strengthen. In other Bible passages this word is applied to mending nets, to being perfectly join together in harmony, to restoring a person spiritually, to the worlds being framed by God. Paul wanted to equip the believers with everything needed to live the Christian life in victory.
      2. “Faith” as Paul used it here was not saving faith but it was “the faith” describing the doctrines of Christianity. Paul knew that their doctrinal faith was lacking and he longed to teach them the Word.
         ☆ A very good reason for studying and learning the Bible well is so that you can equip others. Make it your passion and prayer to help others grow spiritually. Be spiritual and seek to build up others when you talk with them. Work the Lord into your conversations. Discuss what you have been learning from your personal Bible study.

He was Praying for Their Love for Others, 3:12

1. We see here that Paul set an example of love.
   1. At the end of the verse he states “even as we do toward you.” Paul truly loved the believers at Thessalonica. They could see his love in the way he interacted with them.
   2. We demonstrate love by our actions. We do not show others love primarily by telling them we love them. We show them love by how we treat them. We can tell others that we love them, but if they do not feel like we do, we have failed.
      ☆ Here is a bold challenge. I challenge you to ask your spouse or your child if they feel like you truly love them. See what they say. If they hesitate, you need to ask God to help you more clearly demonstrate love to them.
2. Paul prayed for two things about their love
   1. He prayed that their love for others would increase. He longed for their brotherly love to multiply greatly. One of the reasons that brotherly love among Christians is VERY important is because we need each other’s support when we face opposition and persecution. If you live in your own little world and do not share love with other Christians in our church, you will feel alone when troubles come.
   2. Paul prayed that their love for others would abound. He wanted it to be more than usual. He longed that it might overflow. Christians ought to love each other more than unbelievers love each other.
   3. Not only are Christians to abound in love for each other, but Paul said “and toward all men”. We need to love unbelievers enough to share the gospel with them.

He was Praying for Their Hearts, 3:13

1. Paul prayed specifically for their hearts
   1. His concern for their hearts was that they may be stablished. This word “stablished” is very similar to our modern word established. It means that they would be made firm, stable, solid and strengthened. He did not want them to change with every wind of doctrine that comes along. He did not want them to fall for the false teachings of cults.
   2. His standard for their hearts was blamlessness. Paul longed that their firmness solid stand might make them blameless before God. Though we will never be perfect this side of heaven, we ought to be striving to live blameless lives – free from defect. One thing is certain, if we do not aim for a blameless standard, we will never reach it.
   3. His goal for their hearts was holiness. He longed for the believers to be blameless in holiness. Holiness describes moral purity and being separated from sin and dedicated to God.
      ☆ Our problem today is often that we like certain things that deep down inside we know are not good for us. Instead of completely staying away from those things, we limit them, modify them slightly, justify them because everyone else is doing it or we give it a nicer name than sin. On judgment day, God will call all disobedience sin. It is far better that we call them sin now and live a blameless holy life for the glory of God. That was Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians.
2. Paul’s focus was again on meeting Christ
   1. Here Paul speaks of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with His saints.
   2. Because the Rapture describes Christ coming for His saints, many Bible teachers think Paul is referring to the Revelation of Christ after the Tribulation just before the Kingdom.
   3. However, I believe we must cross-reference this statement with one in the next chapter (1Th 4:14). That verse states that the spirits of dead Christians that are now with the Lord will return with Him during the Rapture to be reunited with their resurrected bodies.
      1. I find it very unusual that Paul would look forward to the Revelation of Christ in chapter 3 and discuss in detail the Rapture in the very next chapter.
      2. Another argument for this view is that the Judgment Seat of Christ follows the Rapture and the Judgment of Living Nations follows the Revelation. The Judgment of Living Nations will identify true Christians who survive the Tribulation and are will allow these mortals to enter Christ’s earthly kingdom. On the other hand, at the Judgment Seat of Christ Christians will give account to the Lord and want to be found unblameable in holiness. (1 John 2:28) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
   4. Jesus is coming again. His next return will be to get Christians and take them to heaven before the Tribulation on earth begins. That may be today! Are you ready to meet the Lord?

Conclusion

How much do you pray for other Christians? Do you pray for their spiritual growth? Are you growing spiritually so that you can help others grow? What is your love like? Do your loved ones know that you love them by actions? Are you praying that other Christians will be established spiritually so that they are blameless in holiness? Is that your heart’s goal as well?

If any of these challenging questions reveal a need in your life, let the Lord have his way in that area today.

Song: Teach Me to Pray – 346
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Praying for Others
6 March 2016 AM – 1Thes. 3:9-13 – 1Th2016 – Scott Childs