Here’s my question…
Do you pray for GENESIS… assuming GENESIS is your local church family? Maybe once in a while? Maybe when you’re on your way to a worship gathering? Or maybe not at all?
Here’s why I ask this question. This morning as I was reading 1 Thessalonians, I was confronted with the very question I’m asking you. Here’s how the Apostle Paul, Silas, and Timothy begin their letter to a community of Christ-followers in Thessalonica (modern-day Macedonia)…
“We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly.”
1 Thessalonians 1:2 (NLT)
Seriously? ALWAYS & CONSTANTLY? Wow!
What a beautiful and powerful reality to know that the local church in Thessalonica was being covered in prayer ALL the time.
Now, we might expect Paul, Silas, and Timothy to be doing this, after all, they were pastors and that’s what pastors do, right? They pray for their people. Yes, that’s true, but here’s the thing – Paul, Silas, and Timothy are actually modeling for the church what the church should be doing for the church (for one another).
Prayer for the local church is not just the privilege and responsibility of the leaders of the local church. Actually, it’s the privilege and responsibility of everyone that makes up that local church.
If I can, let me ask you one more question. As we are today, GENESIS has an adult population of about 800 adults.
What might happen within and through our community if ALL 800 adults began praying ALWAYS and CONSTANTLY for one another?
I don’t know how to answer that question other than to say… I think we’d see a unique move of God because God uniquely moves in response to the prayers of His people.
If you’re not sure what to pray for, keep it simple as Paul, Silas, and Timothy did… they gave thanks to God for the people of Thessalonica and they offered up ‘prayers’ for the people.
As we grow in praying for one another, I’m fully confident that God will continue to align our hearts with His heart and that will begin to show up in our prayers for one another.
Grateful to be growing and learning alongside each of you in how to pray ALWAYS & CONSTANTLY for one another.
