praying effectively: Be Sober and Alert (1Thess. 5:1-11)

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)  Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

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 become believers before it is too late (5:1-6)

- that we become believers, and know the hope of the Lord (5:8)

- that we love others (5:8)

- that we encourage our fellow believers (5:11)

- that we build up our fellow believers (5:11)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the hope that You give to Your children through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that we may have eternal life.  And for those becoming believers before the Tribulation, You give us the hope and assurance that You will come for us just before that happens.  And until that time leading up to either our earthly deaths or the rapture, guide is in doing Your will.  Give us the confidence and love to always be encouraging and building each other up.  All to You glory, amen.