How to pray for the Church

Read 1 Thessalonians 3.

Mutual love and care for one another is an indicator of a healthy congregation of believers.  They love God and they are concerned for the personal welfare of each other.

The Apostle Paul endured great affliction and suffering as a result of spreading the news of Jesus.  As he taught the word of God to the converts in Thessalonica, he also "kept telling them beforehand that we were to suffer persecution" (v.4).  Rejection by those who reject Jesus is to be expected.  But when the persecution came, the church worried about Paul and his well-being.  At the same time, Paul anguished over how the congregation was holding up as they likewise experienced such distress for their faith from the tempter himself (v.5).

He sent Timothy to Thessalonica to check on them and to encourage them.  Later, he wrote to Pastor Timothy, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)  Here he wrote, "we are destined for this" (v.3b).  Why is this so?  Before a person receives Jesus as their Savior, that one, whether they know it or not, is following the disobedient will of Satan (Ephesians 2:2).  But when Jesus changes their lives, that person switches sides in this spiritual war.  They become a soldier of the cross with a new uniform, following the orders of a new Commander, marching to the beat of a different drum, and fighting against the very things that they used to fight for.

When the positive report came back, it was an answer to Paul's prayers for them.  "For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord." (v.8)  One could almost hear "whew!"  How did Paul pray for them during this episode and following?  And, what should we be praying for each other?

1. Pray for opportunities to help each other mature spiritually. (v10)
This is a lifelong process.  "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ..." (Ephesians 4:13)  In other words, until we are just like Jesus.  Until then, we have work to do, to teach, to listen, to learn, and to practice this new life.  No one can accomplish this alone.  We need each other more than ever.

2. Pray for increasing love for each other. (v.12)
Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35).  This is not possible unless we intentionally take the time to know other believers personally and involve ourselves in their lives.  It requires knowing about their needs, not just their names.  It means we respond appropriately when there is a need.

3. Pray for each other's holiness. (v.13)
The goal of Paul's prayer was that their hearts would be established.  The evidence of a heart that is resolutely set on Jesus is a lifestyle that is blameless and holy.  Our new life in Christ is on display in what we do and what we do not do.  People around us hear our words and witness our behaviors every day.  Do they see the difference in us?  And, overarching is the understanding that we want to be ready at any moment to be standing in presence of the Holy Lord.