Living in the Last Days

Pt. 3: Praying Passionately

By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026

1) FIND the springs of passion within me.

· Love & SEPARATION

"17But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face," (1 Thessalonians 2:17, ESV)

"5For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain." (1 Thessalonians 3:5, ESV)

· SUFFERING

"3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. 4For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know." (1 Thessalonians 3:3–4, ESV)

· GOOD NEWS

"6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you— 7for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. 8For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. 9For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God," (1 Thessalonians 3:6–9, ESV)

· GOD'S PURPOSE

"10as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10, ESV)

2) Tell God my HEART'S DESIRE.

"11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you," (1 Thessalonians 3:11, ESV)

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! 1 Thes. 3:11 (Mes)

3) Ask God to INCREASE my love.

"12and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," (1 Thessalonians 3:12, ESV)

And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. 1 Thes. 3:12 (Mes)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

4) ALLOW GOD to strengthen my heart.

"13so that he may establish your hearts… (1 Thessalonians 3:13a, ESV)

ESTABLISH = BUTRESS. A buttress is a support -- usually brick or stone -- built against a wall to support or reinforce it. A flying buttress is a free-standing buttress attached to the main structure by an arch or a half-arch.

"9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him… (2 Chronicles 16:9a, ESV)

"145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes." (Psalm 119:145, ESV)

5) KEEP Christlikeness my ultimate goal.

"13…blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1 Thessalonians 3:13b, ESV)

· Blameless = INWARD/NEGATIVE

(1) blameless, faultless, without guilt (LU 1.6); (2) of things faultless, without defect

· Holy – OUTWARD/POSITIVE

· Presence of God – UPWARD/ALWAYS

"4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," (Romans 1:4, ESV)