A Prayer

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father 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 and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
 
THIS is a good model prayer for any church that seeks a deeper relationship with God.
    Paul first prayed that the Father and Son would clear the way for us to come to you. Perhaps our prayer would be: “Father, Spirit and Son, come into my church in such a way that each church member becomes completely aware of your presence. Come, Father, Spirit and Son, to cleanse our hearts, to free our souls from the world, so we may live more faithfully in your Word. Come, Holy God, to your church to expand its ministry, so our neighbors and community will know and love you.”
    Second, Paul prayed the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else. We might pray: “Father, cause each person in the church to love you and to love each other with increasing commitment. Help us love each other to submit to one another and to commit to one another. Remind us if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. (1 John 2:5) so we know love is the most essential element of being a church.”
    Then Paul prayed Thessalonica would be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. Remember, that’s how Paul described himself earlier in the letter. He wants the Thessalonians to be as he is, set apart from the world, striving to remove sin from their lives. We might pray: “Lord God, help us as your church to be holy and blameless before you as we await your second coming. As we confess you ‘Lord and Savior’ separate our thoughts and hearts from worldly desires. Focus our yearnings on knowing and serving you more faithfully. Help us to put sin aside and live more truthfully in your commands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
          Everything we do as a church must be to help us live life well in Jesus’ commands, so we will be prepared to meet him on the day of our death or the day of his return. Everything else in our lives must be less than our pursuit of God.