Psalm 49 reminds us of our mortality.  It reminds us to put our trust in God not in riches or what we can accomplish!

Ultimately it reminds us to put our trust in Jesus who gave "his life as a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45)

Paul prays for the sanctification of the Thessalonians and in turn for us.

Sanctification is a life-long process of growing in spiritual maturity.

It is both the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of our wills and our actions.

Psalm 48 is another call to Praise God.

The theme is found in the opening verse, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!"

Paul prays that the Colossians and in turn we would be filled with the knowledge of God's will.  This is a daily call.  We tend to seek God's will for future, grand events; but seeking God's will includes seeking it in the things of everyday life.

Paul also prays we will live in a manner worthy of our Lord.  He's praying that we live in a manner worthy of all it means to be a Christian.

Psalm 47 urges us all to praise God.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

As Paul prayed for wisdom for the Ephesians, we too should pray for wisdom.

Pray that God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit would reveal more of himself to us.

Pray we would know:

The hope to which God has called us

The riches of our glorious inheritance

The immeasurable greatness of God's power

Psalm 46 is a reminder that God is our refuge and strength.  Martin Luther's great hymn, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was inspired by this Psalm.  God is our "Mighty Fortress" despite our circumstances and even when we do not feel him near!

This is the introductory message on Paul's prayers for the church.  Paraphrasing from D.A. Carson's, "Praying with Paul," we share some general lessons on prayer.

Then we look at one of Paul's specific prayers for the church, namely Paul thanks God for the members of the churches he has founded.

Why are you cast down?

Put your hope in God.  The God who sustained you and strengthened you in the past can and will do so again!

We reap what we sow.

We are called to "sow to the Spirit."  We're called to sow seed that produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

We're called to serve others and be reconciled to others.  So "let us not grow weary in doing good."