Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 17, 2023: SOAP #4913: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.  12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Thinking about the coming judgment, Paul is always praying for His spiritual children.  His desire is that they receive gracious rewards rather than just punishment on that day. 

Paul wants God to look at the Thessalonians and say, “I am glad I sent Jesus for them.”  He wants God to smile when He sees them on Judgment Day.

Paul wants them to live in such a way that God happily hears their prayers and joyfully answers, and is so doing, fulfils every one of God’s good purposes for them.

Paul wants their faith to be rewarded as they see their efforts succeed.  Of course, we are always called by God to do things that far exceed our abilities.  If we are to succeed, then God must use His power to bring them to fulfillment.

APPLICATION:  Here is a pattern prayer for me to pray for my family and friends.  It is a prayer that looks beyond present circumstances into eternity.  It is a prayer that God will be delighted to answer.   

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, teach me to pray with eternity in view.  Help me break the habit of praying for earthly blessings and things desirable to make this life easier.  Teach me to pray with eternity in view.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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