praying effectively: Appreciate Diligent Workers (1Thess. 5:12-15)

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)  But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that we admonish the unruly (5:14)

- that we facilitate just behavior (5:15)

- that we are patient with everyone (5:14)

- that we encourage the fainthearted (5:14)

- that we help the weak (5:14)

- that we live in peace with one another (5:13)

- that we always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people (5:15)

- that we appreciate the diligent workers among us (5:12)

- that we lovingly respect the diligent workers among us (5:13)

Today's prayer:

 Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your peace, patience and love.  Help us to put that into practice with our fellow believers and those around us.  Give us wisdom and courage to know how to lovingly facilitate unity and just behavior.  

Guide our spiritual leaders.  Keep them above reproach and keep them steadfast, always using Your word as the final authority for all things.  Help us to demonstrate our love and respect for them.  May we all seek ways to serve one another in order to build up and encourage the body.  All to Your glory, amen.