1 Thessalonians 3
July 16, 2007
Prayer
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope (Psalm 16:8-9). God our Father, we have come today with hearts that are glad and full of joy at knowing Thee. We ask that You might prepare our hearts to be receptive to Thy Word. may you cause each within our family to be blameless and holy when we see Your Son face to face.
Today’s Hymn
Words: The Psalter, 1912. Music: Redhead, Richard Redhead, Church Hymn Tunes, Ancient and Modern (London: 1853).
GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME
Click here for tune.
God, be merciful to me,
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within,
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.
My transgressions I confess,
Grief and guilt my soul oppress;
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face;
I confess Thy judgment just,
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.
I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.
Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.
Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true;
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.
Sinners then shall learn from me
And return, O God, to Thee;
Savior, all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love;
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.
Thought Provoker
When is the last time your family stopped everything and prayed for your local church? What type of prayers should you offer together on behalf of your church family? Although you should pray for the unique problems and needs of your congregation you can learn much about how to pray for your church from the prayers of the apostle Paul. Paul spent much of his ministry praying for churches (1 Thessalonians 3:10; Ephesians 1:15- 23; Romans 15:14-33; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Colossians 1:9-14). Here is a prayer from 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 that will help you today to pray effectively for your church.
Dad’s Study
Read together Paul’s prayer in vs. 9-13 and discuss how Paul prayed for the church at Thessalonica.
1. A Prayer of Thanksgiving (v. 9). Paul is encouraging the Christians of Thessalonica by thanking God for His work of grace in their lives. Bow as a family today, thanking God for His work of grace in your church family. Thank Him for your pastor and church leaders. Thank Him for individual saints who make up your church. You can encourage these saints by letting them know that you have been thanking God for them in your family prayers.
2. A Prayer of Fervency (v.10a). Paul prayed for this church day and night. This does not mean that he prayed twice a day, rather that he prayed for the Thessalonians as a regular part of his prayer life. He prayed faithfully and persistently for the needs of this church. Make prayer for your church a regular part of your personal and family worship.
3. A Prayer to Help Others Grow in Grace (v. 10b). Paul asked that God might increase the faith of the saints at Thessalonica. Notice that Paul added to his prayer that God might allow him to go and personally help meet that need in their spiritual lives. Pray for your church with a mindset of service. When you pray for believers with needs be active in helping meet those needs. Discuss some ways as a family that God could use you as you pray for others to grow in their faith.
4. A Prayer for Abounding Love (v. 12). What a great prayer! Paul prayed that God might enlarge the love of the saints at Thessalonica. There isn’t a local church anywhere today that doesn’t need to abound more in their love for God, His people, and their neighbors. W. A. Carson rightly observes, …we will see profound spiritual renovation if by God’s grace we make it our commitment not to put anyone down- except on our prayer list (Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation, p. 93).
5. A Prayer for Holiness (v. 13). Paul asks God to strengthen the hearts of the saints so that they would be blameless and holy when Christ returns. There is no more important prayer that you can pray for your church than this: that God would do all to make you a holy people. Here is a prayer that you can pray for daily until Christ returns for His church!
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Bow together as a family today and pray for your church family. Open your prayer be giving thanks and asking God to cause you to abound in His love and holiness! Make a list of special needs facing your church family and intercede for them before the throne of grace. Encourage individuals in your church by letting them know that you thanked God for them this week!
Catechism
Question 25
Q. How does Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executes the office of a king in subduing us to himself (Psalm 110:3), in ruling and defending us (Matthew 2:6, 1 Corinthians 15:25) and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
