May He Strengthen Your Hearts

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Do you have a prayer friend? You know, someone that you can share your prayer requests with and some who will share their own prayer requests with you?

The apostle Paul had a praying relationship with the churches he served, including the one in Thessalonica. He thanked God for the faith, love, and hope of the people there.

Loving Father, thank You for wanting us to talk with You. Teach us all to be praying friends.

The best kind of a friend is a praying friend.

Our Daily Bread – March 9, 2013