1 Thessalonians 1:1-2

Gospel Prayer

-Based on God’s Character and Actions (1:1)

-Belief in God’s Word (1:1; 2:13)

-Thankful (1:2; 5:18)

-Always (1:2; 5:16-17)

-Everyone (1:2)

Cynicism is our Greatest Threat to Gospel Prayer

-Cynicism = doubt, skepticism, “it doesn’t really matter”

-Cynicism comes from: misunderstanding of the Gospel, unmet expectations, rationalism, positivity

-Cynicism steals child-like faith and leads to sarcasm, bitterness, withdrawal

Application

-Pray God's Word

-Don’t separate prayer from action/from the rest of your life

-Pray with others, especially those in other life stages

-Make prayer the beginning and end of everything you do

-Pray for Eternity

(Relationship between Prayer and Cynicism is addressed in

Paul Miller, “A Praying Life”)