1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience because of you before our God,  as we pray earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?  Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.  May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen. (HCSB)

How does Paul pray for the Thessalonians in the verses above? How often does he pray? What does he ask for?

Many translations say that he and Silas and Timothy prayed earnestly. Paul used the rare double compound word “huper – ek – perissou” which in only used in the New Testament 3 times. This adverb is translated in Ephesians 3:20 as exceedingly abundantly, or immeasurably more, or above and beyond.

How important is prayer for others? Do you pray for anyone the way that Paul says he does? Does anyone pray for you that way?

Consider the verses below the video which are the basis for my lesson on Praying Big!
Here’s the handout:Pray Big!

PAUL’S EXAMPLE OF PRAYER

 1 Thessalonians 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13  How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy we experience because of you before our God,  as we pray earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?  Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.   And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you.   May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen^.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18   Pray constantly.  Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-25   Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.  Brothers, pray for us also.

 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We must always thank God for you, brothers, which is fitting, since your faith is flourishing, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12   And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith,  so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13   But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginningGod has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17   May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace,   encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2  Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you,  and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith.

2 Thessalonians 3:5    May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.

2 Thessalonians 3:16   May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you.