2 Thessalonians 3:5 – September 6, 2018

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the endurance of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NABRE     

Paul had been teaching in the city of Thessalonica and left the city without completing his intended course. When he heard news of the Thessalonians, he heard they had questions. Paul wrote the first letter back to the community to answer these questions and when he heard there was still some confusion, he wrote the second letter to the Thessalonians. The quoted verse is part of a closing prayer of the second letter to the Thessalonians. He is asking for the prayers of the community that he and others may spread the gospel triumphantly. It is an act of humility that Paul the great Apostle for Christ would ask for prayer. He asks for protection from those who would harm him and then claims trust in God’s protection. The quoted verse has Paul turning back to the community asking the Lord to direct their hearts to love. It is the heart that leads to good or evil and Paul wants them to be led to the Christian mission of love. Then he asks they may endure like Christ, who endured the cross for love. Difficulties will come their way and so he prays they endure. A prayer to be Christ, to love through all challenges. The humility Paul witnesses and the empathy he has for the community is to be mimicked. We should ask for the prayers of our fellow Christians and to offer them our prayers.

As a Christian we have an obligation to care for and love others. This includes praying for hearts to remain pure. It is the heart that leads the Christian. There is much that can distract us from remaining pure and we need the support of our brothers and sister in Christ to keep us on a path of enduring love.

Do you pray for others? Do you ask for others prayers?

As a Christian we have an obligation to care for and love others. This includes praying for hearts to remain pure. It is the heart that leads the Christian. Click To Tweet

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