NIGHT AND DAY WE PRAY FOR YOU

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Key verse: 10

NIV

3 So when we could stand it no longer,(A) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.(B) 2 We sent Timothy,(C) who is our brother and co-worker(D) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,(E) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.(F) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.(G) 4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.(H) 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,(I) I sent to find out about your faith.(J) I was afraid that in some way the tempter(K) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.(L)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6 But Timothy(M) has just now come to us from you(N) and has brought good news about your faith and love.(O) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.(P) 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firm(Q) in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for you(R) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?(S) 10 Night and day we pray(T) most earnestly that we may see you again(U) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father(V) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other(W) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless(X) and holy in the presence of our God and Father(Y) when our Lord Jesus comes(Z) with all his holy ones.(AA)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

3 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing (A)to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we (B)sent Timothy, (C)our brother and God's coworker[a] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (D)we are destined for this. 4 For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, (E)just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. 5 For this reason, (F)when I could bear it no longer, (G)I sent to learn about your faith, (H)for fear that somehow (I)the tempter had tempted you and (J)our labor would be in vain.

Timothy's Encouraging Report

6 But (K)now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of (L)your faith and love and reported (M)that you always remember us kindly and (N)long to see us, as we long to see you— 7 for this reason, brothers,[b] in all our distress and affliction (O)we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8 For now we live, if you (P)are standing fast in the Lord. 9 For (Q)what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, 10 as we pray most earnestly (R)night and day (S)that we may see you face to face and (T)supply what is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may (U)our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, (V)direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord (W)make you increase and abound in love (X)for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may (Y)establish your hearts blameless in holiness before (Z)our God and Father, at (AA)the coming of our Lord Jesus (AB)with all his saints.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some manuscripts servant
  2. 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Or brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Paul predicted their persecutions and warned them when he was with them that persecution would come. He was urgently concerned for their welfare and sent his right-hand man Timothy to check on them, to strengthen, and to encourage them to overcome trials by faith. We also need to encourage and visit people who are suffering on the frontlines of world missions. It is easy to forget people when we don’t see them. But in the gospel work, we must be concerned for the spiritual welfare of those who are isolated and persecuted and encourage them to stand firm in faith.

Timothy brought back a glowing report of their gospel faith and their mutual love for Paul and the leaders. Their firm faith refreshed Paul and helped him to really live with joy and purpose. We are blessed when we see disciples of Jesus growing and overcoming by faith. Our prayer meetings, conferences and mission reports are very important in refreshing our gospel faith and joy of living for Jesus and his world mission command.

Paul testifies that he prays for them night and day. He prays for them again here that their faith overcomes, their love grows, and their lives be blameless, awaiting Jesus’ return. Do we faithfully and urgently pray for those we serve, like Paul did?

Prayer: Father, thank you for prayer servants. Help us to encourage, faithfully pray for, and love others.

One Word: Pray urgently for persecuted Christians