1. Ceaseless Prayer 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-13 Pg 1093 July 14, 2013

2. INTRODUCTION Short term outreach 1993 Himachal Pradesh Story of Sati and Mr. R

4. Context Thessalonica – an important city in Macedonia and capital of one of its districts.  Acts 17 : Paul’s second missionary journey. Church founded.  Acts 17:1-5  3 weeks preaching  Results  Jews, Greeks, and leading women became Chrsitians.  Jealous Jews : Paul and his team accused. Banished.  Church founded in persecution.  Paul sends Timothy to bring news.  Church is young but Vibrant.

5. Context  Misunderstanding regarding the return of Christ (4:13-18),  Fears concerning those who have died (4:13-18),  Moral issues especially in the area of sexuality(4:1-8),  idleness (4:11 and 5:14) and  disruptive social behaviour (4:11- mind your own affairs).  They need discipleship

6. Prayer in 1 Thess. 1-2 We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 2-13 We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers. 3-9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. 5-17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound £ and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. 25 Beloved, pray for us.

7. 1. Paul’s attitude in Prayer 3: 9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?  Thanksgiving (1:2, 2:13, 3:9, 5:17)  Rejoicing (3:9)  Paul sees people as a gift from God.  Remembering (1:3)

8. 1. Paul’s attitude in Prayer Prayer is an awareness of what God is doing and appreciating His Good work in the lives of others and in His world

9.  3:10 Night and Day we pray most earnestly…  Always (1:2)  Constantly (2:13)  Without ceasing (5:17) (Paul’s advice to the Thessalonians).  “Prayer seemed to be natural to me; as breath, by which the inward burnings of my hear had vent.” (Jonathan Edwards 1703-58) 2. Paul’s persistence/ consistency in Prayer

10.  Not self- centered  For others  Faith, hope and Love  Sanctification: To be holy and blameless in the light of Christ’s return. 3. The content of Paul’s prayers.

11. “Hope makes holiness worthwhile”! The hope of Christ’s return, the restoration of all things, the promise of a world without sin, sickness and death – makes living holy lives worthwhile. 3. The content of Paul’s prayers.

12.  Sati story Conclusion Testimony to the power of God in the lives of people who are being prayed for.

13. Application  Is there someone who needs your prayers today?  Is there someone for whom you can be thankful to God for?  What are the things that keep you from bringing your mind to pray for others?  Ask God to bring someone to your mind today.  Let the Holy Spirit fill you with Joy as you recollect the good things God has done in this person’s life  Pray that this person may be filled with faith hope and love and that they may live Holy lives in this sin-infected world.

14. My prayer for you 1 Thess 5 - 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound £ and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this..