Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2022: SOAP #4545: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Praying for Loved Ones

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 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.

OBSERVATION: It is interesting to hear Paul pray for these friends he loves so dearly.  He prays for an opportunity to visit them—to have the opportunity to help them grow in their faith.  He prays for their relationships with other believers.  He prays that the Lord will increase their measure of love.   He prays for them to have holy hearts when they stand in the presence of God. 

He DOES NOT PRAY for their jobs.  He does not pray for them to be financially secure, or for them to be out of debt.  He does not pray for them to have good health.  He does not pray for peaceful relationships with their neighbors.  He does not pray for their lives to be trouble free.

APPLICATION:  The things I often pray for are important, at least to me.  But the things Paul prayed for are much more important, especially to the Lord!  I need to use Paul as my example when I pray for my family and friends. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts as I pray.  Help my prayers to have effect from eternities viewpoint.  Help me to pray prayers that the Heavenly Father would love to answer.  Amen

Pastor Leon

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