Making mention of you in our prayers

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 18; 1 Thessalonians 1: Ezekiel 48; Psalm 104

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

What should you pray for a good church? It is seems easier to know the needs of a struggling church. A church that is hurting you will have some idea what to pray for them since you will be lifting their needs before God’s throne. But what do you ask God for when you pray for a solid church? Here we see the heart of an apostle as he prayed for a solid church.

First, he prayed for their work of faith. A good church is a working church. There is labor to be done in the kingdom for Jesus said:

John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Their faith in Jesus launched laborers into the harvest and Paul prayed for their work.

Second, he prayed for their labor of love. Not only is there much work to be done by the church, but it must be done in love. According to the Bible:

1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Paul prayed that their love would be the motivating factor in their labor so that the love of Jesus would be seen in all that the church did.

Third, he prayed for their patience in hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not know how long the time of harvest will last. Jesus could return today, but he could tarry a long time. The church must continue its loving labor until Jesus comes to get us. The Bible says:

Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

There is much patience involved in farming because you must sow one day and then patiently wait for the harvest. A good church needs prayer. Do you pray for your church? Please do and let God’s Word be your guide as you pray.

In Christ,
Rody