PRAYING FRIENDS

PRAYING FRIENDS

READ:
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Brethren, pray for us.
-1 Thessalonians 5:25

I met my friend Angie for lunch after having not seen her for several months.  At the end of our time together, she pulled out a piece of paper with notes from our previous get-together.  It was a list of my prayer requests she had been praying for since then.  She went through each one and asked if God had answered yet or if there were any updates.  And then we talked about her prayer requests.   How encouraging to have a praying friend!

The apostle Paul had a praying relationship with the churches he served, including the one at Thessalonica.  He thanked God for the faith, love, and hope of the people (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3).  He longed to see them, and asked God "night and day" that he might be able to visit them again (3:10-11).  He requested that the Lord would help them "increase and abound in love to one another and to all" (v.12).  He also prayed that their hearts would be blameless before God (v.13).  They must have been encouraged as they read about Paul's concern and prayers for them.  Paul knew too his own need for God's presence and power and pleaded, "Brethren, pray for us" (5:25).

Loving Father, thank You for wanting us to talk with You.  Teach us all to be praying friends. -Anne Cetas

I  need the prayers of those I love
While traveling on life's rugged way.
That I may true and faithful be,
And live for Jesus every day. -Vaughn
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The best kind of friend is a praying friend.

INSIGHT
Paul often takes great encouragement from the faith of others (Ephesians 1:15-16; Philippians 2:17; Colossians 1:3-4; 2:5).  Despite his own circumstances, Paul was able to celebrate the vibrant and growing faith of the churches he helped to plant or in which he ministered.  While our faith is personal, it is often mistaken as individual.  God has graciously given us the church, the body of Christ, for our encouragement and growth (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-16).  In need of encouragement today?  Like Paul, celebrate, and take courage from God's work in the lives of those around you.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace