Deeper Reflection
PAUL’S THANKSGIVING AND PETITION TO GOD ARE PROMINENT in 1 to 2 Thessalonians – found at nine locations in the eight chapters.¹ Reflected from this are the attitude, the aim and the anchor in prayer.Always thankful is one’s attitude: “We ought always to give thanks to God for you” (1 Thess 1:2; 3:9; 2 Thess 1:3; 2:13). Out of this lifestyle, Paul teaches us, “In everything give thanks” (1 Thess 5:18). Another attitude is praying earnestly. Paul “pray[s] most earnestly night and day” that he might return to Thessalonica to further build up the Thessalonians’ faith (1 Thess 3:10-11). But God did not answer his prayer until five years later (Acts 20:1-3).²The aim is transforming life. The Thessalonians’ lives were marked by their “labour in love” (1 Thess 1:3). But Paul exhorted them “to do this more and more” (1 Thess 4:9-10), and prayed that “the Lord make you increase and abound in love” (1 Thess 3:12-13). And God answered his prayer immediately: “your love is increasing” (2 Thess 1:3). The anchor is in knowing God. Paul anchors his prayer in who God is, especially Christ and God the Father “who loved us” (2 Thess 2:13, 16-17; 3:5; cf. 1 Thess 1:4). He prays that “the Lord direct your hearts… to the steadfastness of Christ” to establish further the Thessalonians’ “steadfastness and faith” in enduring afflictions (2 Thess 1:4; 3:5). And he anchors in “the God of peace” (1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 3:16) and the God who is “faithful” (1 Thess 5:24; 2 Thess 3:3). In knowing God, we pray and through prayer we know God better.

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¹ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 3:9-13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13, 16-17; 3:1, 5, 16 ² John R. W. Stott, The Message of Thessalonians, The Bible Speaks Today (IVP, 1991), 67