Why We Pray                                     1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (v16-18)

Pray – to talk with God

PRAY, v. t. To supplicate; to entreat; to urge.[1]

PRA´YER, n. In a general sense, the act of asking for a favor, and particularly with earnestness.[2]

6 Reasons Why We Pray:

V12-13                  It Highlights Our Reliance On God

V14-15                  It Builds Up Others

V16-18                  It Sustains The Individual (The One Who Prays)

V 19-20                It Leads Us In What NOT To Do

V21-22                  It Leads Us In What We SHOULD Do

V23-24                  It Grows Us Closer To God

V12-13                  It Highlights Our Reliance On God

Acknowledge (recognize and appreciate)

                  Those who do the work [live out ministry in life] (evangelize, disciple and strengthen)

Live In Peace With One Another

                  We are all God’s creation, deserving of respect and concern

V14-15                  It Builds Up Others

Warn

                  The unbelievers and those who sit by, while the work carries on around them

Encourage

                  Those who have been *human* and encountered failures and falls

Help

                  The marginalized, the oppressed and those who suffer

Be Patient

                  With Everyone. Everyone. Everyone. EVERYONE.

Do What Is Good For Each Other

                  Do not pay back wrong for wrong. Do not live out a tit for tat life. 

V16-18                  It Sustains The Individual

Rejoice Always

                  No matter the circumstances, there is hope to be found! Our hope is in the Lord!

Pray Continually

                  Prayer is an opportunity to invite God in, we let down our guards and let God LEAD!

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

                  If we are alive and breathing, we still have reason to celebrate!

= This is God’s will for you (in Jesus)! 

                  This is how we seek our God’s will for our lives: rejoice, pray and be thankful!

V 19-20                It Leads Us In What NOT To Do

Do Not!

-              Quench the Spirit

-              Oppose Spiritual Gifts (prophecy) instead, trust but verify…

V21-22                  It Leads Us In What We SHOULD Do

DO! 

-              Hold on to what is good

-              Reject every kind of evil

V23-24                  It Grows Us Closer To God

Ask God to:

-              Sanctify you (Grow You)

-              Keep you blameless (Keep You) 

o   You = Spirit, Soul and Body

o   Numbers 6:22-27

§  Lord Bless You and Keep You

§  Lord Shine His Face On You

§  Lord Be Gracious To You

§  Lord Life His Continence (Face) On You

§  Lord Give You Peace

God =

-              Calls Us

-              Provides For Us

-              Is Faithful To Deliver On His Word

[1] Noah Webster, Noah Webster’s First Edition of An American Dictionary of the English Language. (Anaheim, CA: Foundation for American Christian Education, 2006).

[2] ibid