praying effectively: Glorify God (2Thess. 1:3-12)

(2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)  We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4 therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. 6 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 thank God for our fellow believers (1:3)

- that we pray for our fellow believers' faith to keep growing (1:3)

- that we pray for our fellow believers' love for each other to keep growing (1:3)

- that we pray for our fellow believers to remain steadfast (1:11)

- that we pray for our fellow believers to desire seeking out and doing good (1:11)

- that we pray for our fellow believers to fully rely on Jesus' strength (1:11)

- that we glorify our Lord Jesus in all that we do (1:12)

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for our instant family which we gain as soon as we become believers.  Help us all to continually love each other and lift each other up in prayer.  Guide Your children to grow in faith and desire to serve You and others. 

Protect us from evil, and keep us steadfast through whatever test or trial we may be facing.  Help us to remember to rest in Your strength, in order to live victorious and courageous lives, glorifying You in all that we say and do.  Amen.