Before we come to 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - which is our passage this morning - I’d like to begin with some perspective on this topic of prayer by looking the situation of the Apostle Paul.

In Acts 17 we read that Paul had come to Thessalonica after being persecuted and driven out of Philippi. Paul stayed in Thessalonica for less than a month. In that short time he led a number of people to Christ - established the church there - and taught the believers the great doctrines of our faith.

At the end of those three short weeks the Jews of Thessalonica created a riot and led a mob against Paul and his companions. In the face of great opposition - Paul, Silas, and Timothy escaped at night and fled to the town of Berea. Where - once the Jews of Thessalonica found out where they had gone - the Thessalonian Jews followed them to Berea and stirred up the crowds there against them until Paul was forced out of that city. From there he went to Athens and then to Corinth. (Acts 18)

The reason I mention all this is to point out what was typical of Paul’s life. Paul - formerly Saul the persecutor of the church is now Paul the persecuted of the church. The Apostle Paul - as he traveled and shared the Gospel - was imprisoned - beaten - whipped - stoned - shipwrecked - dragged outside a city and left for dead - often hungry - thirsty. In really difficult circumstances he lived a victorious Christian life.

So, when Paul prays - and that’s what we have recorded here in 1 Thessalonians 3 - one of Paul’s prayers - it arouses our curiosity to wonder what he prayed for. The believers in Thessalonica were also persecuted for their faith. When Paul prayed for them, what did he pray for?

Many here today are facing tremendously difficult circumstances in your lives - or in your family or with your friends - the circumstances are very difficult. A marriage that is coming apart. The loss of a loved one. Terminal illness. Economic uncertainty. An impossible situation at work. Wondering about God’s direction for your life. You can supply your own circumstance. What do we pray for that we might live victorious as Christians?

If you’re not there already. Please turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - and let’s look at this prayer of Paul’s.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13: “For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account”

Remember, Paul is in Corinth. During his ministry in Corinth, Timothy comes with a report about the believers in Thessalonica. (1 Thessalonians 3:6) As he listens - welling up within Paul are cherished memories of his brothers and sisters in Thessolonica - the experiences they’ve shared. Paul longs to be with them. As Paul hears Timothy’s report, Paul is filled with thankfulness and joy. Despite everything they’re going through the Thessalonian church is victorious in their faith - remaining firm in their commitment to Jesus. Its that longing and joy that prompted Paul’s prayer.

Verse 10: “as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?”

Notice three things about how Paul approached prayer - Paul’s attitude in prayer.

First, Paul prayed frequently - “night and day.” Morning and evening - while he’s making tents - whatever he’s doing - he’s in prayer because he’s concerned about them. Whenever he thinks about the Thessalonians, he’s praying for them.

Second, Paul prays “earnestly.” This was not just a quick prayer before meals or bed. Paul is thinking through their needs and what these people are going through. His heart - his concern - his passion for them comes through in his prayers.

Third, Paul prays asking to be a part of God’s solution. “I’m asking God that I can come and supply what is lacking.” Too often we pray expecting God and others to act. “God, take care of those less fortunate - the needy - the homeless. God, bring comfort to those who are hurting. God, help those in Armenia. Help our sister church.” And on and on we pray. How many of us are really surrendered to God - committed to be used by God in His answer to prayer?

Paul’s prayer wasn’t offered in a vacuum. His heart was surrendered to God. His life was passionately engaged in prayer for this church. That attitude is the beginning point of victorious prayer.

Verse 11 - here is what Paul prayed: “Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”

First - in verse 11 - Paul prays to REMAIN CENTERED IN GOD’S WILL.

During his second missionary journey Paul and his companions had come to the city of Iconium in south central Anatolia. There they turned north through central Anatolia. While there the Holy Spirit told them not to share the Gospel with those in that area. So, they passed on trying to get to the Black Sea - with the idea of going even farther north and sharing the Gospel. But, Jesus refused to allow them to go farther. And so, they ended up going west to the city of Troas - which is on the Dardanelles.

In Troas, Paul had a vision of a man standing in Macedonia appealing to him saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” So they went. They went to Philippi and then came to Thessalonica. (Acts 16:1-10)

Now, Paul is praying that God would allow him to return to Thessalonica. Forget all that he had suffered. He longed to be in Thessalonica - less than 200 miles away. He could have just picked up and went. But, Paul had learned to follow instructions - to do things in God’s way according to God’s timing. So, he waited. In fact he had to wait until his third missionary journey - after having traveled all the way back to Judea and then again through Anatolia - and then to Greece - before God again led him to Thessalonica.

But that’s what it means to be centered in God’s will. We will do what God wants - where God wants us to do it - when God want us to do it - and how God wants us to do it.

Second - in verse 12 Paul prays that they might INCREASE IN LOVE.

Many times - as I’ve traveled around - people ask me, “How are things at Calvary?” As I meet with pastors and lay people - it seems that many people measure the success of a church by the number of people who attend or the size of the building or the number of programs that are offered. As if somehow all of that is important.

Jesus - speaking of what He considered important for His church - Jesus said this, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (John 13:14,35)

This is what leads to victory in the Christian life - what leads to victory as a church. If the love we have in our hearts for each other is the love Jesus shown us on the cross. The success of a congregation is judged by how we’re learning to love each other - to forgive each other - to listen to each other - to support and pray for each other - to lovingly hold each other accountable to follow Jesus - to reach out to those in need around us.

Third - verse 13 - Paul prays that the Thessalonians will CONTINUE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTIL JESUS RETURNS.

In the last few months churches have been burned in Nigeria and Indonesia. In Vietnam the government is destroying churches. In the Sudan the government dropped bombs on a Christian school. In Turkmenistan believers are being subjected to repeated beatings, electric shocks, partial suffocation and other tortures. The list goes on and on. Even in this country believers are being arrested and ridiculed for standing up for their faith. There were more martyrs in the 20th century than in the previous 19 combined. The 21st century doesn’t look much different.

For the Thessalonians - who were persecuted - Paul prays that they would remain faithful to God - blameless - holy - prepared and excited for the day when Jesus will return.

How are we living our lives? In whatever circumstances we are in - will we give in - cave in to the pressure? Or, will we remain faithful. Living righteously - blamelessly? When Jesus comes will we be ashamed or victorious?

Let me put all of this in a more practical way. When we’re faced with illness - problems in our relationships - or whatever the circumstance - we’re often focused on praying specifically for that circumstance. “God please bring healing. God please bring restoration.” And there is a place for these prayers.

What Paul is praying for goes deeper. It goes to what moves our hearts to prayer. The core issues of what we struggle with and where we need victory. In whatever circumstance we face we need God - to understand and be led by His will. We need to love each other - because we need each other. We need to remain faithful - choosing to keep our eyes fixed - not on the problem - but on the eternal hope that is ours in Jesus Christ. These are things that we should be passionate to pray for each other. These are foundational issues that lead to victory in the Christian life.

Sitting around the table - in the upper room - on the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested. During that last supper Jesus turned to Peter and Jesus said to him, “Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; But I have prayed for you.”

What did Jesus pray? “Don’t let it happen? Stop Satan!” Peter was his most troublesome disciple who denied Jesus 3 times. Peter, after being imprisoned for nine months - was scourged - and then crucified. Satan sifted Peter.

What did Jesus pray? “I have prayed for you - Jesus said - that your faith may not fail.” (Luke 22:31,32a)

Troublesome Peter - sifted - became the leader of the early church. Crucified - by Peter’s choice - crucified head down - Peter died testifying of his own unworthiness to die as his Savior died and his faith in Jesus.

Whatever happens today - tomorrow - this week - whatever you may be struggling with. May God open our minds and hearts to stay centered in His will - to become deeper in love with each other - to stay faithful - looking to the day of Jesus’ return.