BEING MENTIONED IN PRAYER - PART 1

MONDAY 11 JULY 2022

Paul wrote to the church of the Thessalonians in Christ Jesus, thanking God for their faith. What does this indicate? As members together of one body, and sharers together in the promised inheritance in Christ Jesus, we ought to pray for one another from time to time. The true success or progress of our faith in Christ largely depends on our faithfulness in acknowledging fellow saints and their concerns in times of prayer.

Reference : 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 New International Version (NIV) "We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Due to the pleasant memories of the days he spent with the church at Thessalonica, Paul prayerfully laboured for them and encouraged them to excel in three important aspect of their Christian living, namely: 1. Their work produced by faith. 2. Their labour prompted by love. 3. Their endurance inspired by hope in Christ.

Now the first thing to notice about the above mentioned aspects of improvement, is that their faith, love and hope were addressed, revealing that indeed, these three things last forever - faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV). Moreover, considering the three as important spiritual aspects of performance, which Paul prayed for, on behalf of the church in Thessalonica, we can understand and learn from the truth that Paul didn't mention them in prayer without any reason; rather he remembered them in prayer, having the all-round progress of their faith in mind.

Therefore, as we pray for fellow saints, we should specifically mention the reasons for doing so, as well as learn to address them with true concern, by being definite with their spiritual needs - before God. When we pray for people in that manner, the result or testimony is sure because the prayer is fully depended on well founded reasons. With this view in mind, you are not ignorant of what their natural situations and spiritual wellbeing seem like, meaning that it is a sure direction in the way of your duty in prayer.

So today, let's consider Pauline's first thought in prayer about the church, which is - Their work produced by faith: James 2:17-18 reads, 'Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works' (NKJV). Work here means "evidence." So this is talking about your faith accomplishing something that is visible. For this same reason, Paul was thanking God concerning their good works produced or made manifest by faith. Faith is believing what God said; putting faith to work is the act of becoming wise unto good works. Did you get it? "Works" in this context, illustriously displays the product of the efficacy of faith, which can be infinitely and gloriously exercised by a Christian.

So here was Paul's hidden mind as he remembered them in prayer - he wanted them to excel in exercising their faith unto noticeable work. Beloved, likewise, we are designed in Christ to convert the focus of our faith from the realm of spiritual realities to the terra firma of undeniable works. Therefore, as we continually receive the truth, we must go on to prove its certainty and evidence by experience, through the power of faith. Stay tuned for part 2, as we discuss a labour prompted by love. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 11:22-23; Hebrew 11:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 2:26.

Exuberant Declaration: Faith is the substance that motivates me to function courageously and to demonstrate the nature of true and sincere worship to God. My prayers are substantial, satisfying and effective; there is no danger of failure in delivering desired results. Hence, my faith-motivated actions lead me to establish lasting good works, as beautiful earthly expressions of true Christianity. Hallelujah!