Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 3:8-10
Thu, 21 April 2022

Thanksgiving and Prayer of Depth

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer to God?

Deeper Reflection
1 THESSALONIANS IS “AT HEART A RECORD OF THE APOSTLES’ gratitude to God. Their thanksgiving must not be glossed over as a formality, as if they were bowing their heads to give thanks before getting to the ‘meat’ of the letter (in 1 Thess 4:1). The giving of thanks and the reports of their prayer are in fact a large part of the letter’s substance [1 Thess 1-3]”45. Paul expresses his thanksgiving to God at three points in the letter: for the Thessalonians’ “standing fast in the Lord” (vv.8-9) as manifested in their “work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope” (1 Thess 1:2-3), and evidence of the Word of God working in their lives (1 Thess 2:13).Paul’s thanksgiving to God is marked by immensity: “What thanksgiving can we return to God for you?” (v.9). What Paul is saying is, “What kind of thanksgiving could possibly be sufficient?”46 and “How can we thank God enough for you?” (v.9, NIV). It means that our hearts are so filled and overflowing with deep gratitude to God. Out of this immense thanksgiving is Paul’s prayer with intensity: “most earnestly” – “quite beyond all measure”47, and “night and day” he prayed for face-to-face meetings with the Thessalonians so as “to fix any deficiencies”48 in their faith (v.10). Apparently, Paul worked and prayed overlappingly “night and day” (1 Thess 2:9).49 As his work was with “labour and toil”, so was his prayer. For Paul, this face-to-face meeting with the Thessalonians was critical enough to demand such intensive prayer.Are our thanksgiving and prayer marked by immensity and intensity?
45 Gary S. Shogren, 22-23 46 Gary S. Shogren, 141 47 Gary S. Shogren, 141 48 Gary S. Shogren, 142 49 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 66
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my thanksgiving and prayer to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To give thanks to God in all things, good or bad
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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