The Third Chapter of the First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians

The First Letter of St. Paul

 to the Thessalonians

Chapter  3

 

 

¹ Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we decided to be left alone in Athens; ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and co-worker for God in proclaiming the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the sake of your faith, ³ so that no one would be shaken by these persecutions. Indeed, you yourselves know that this is what we are destined for.

 

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verses 1 to 3)

 

Oh God my beloved Father in such a situation the apostle Paul did not consult with You but decided on his own initiative and made the final decision to be left alone. There are times when decisions simply must be taken. I also need time to be left alone, and this is why I have taken this decision, however I am always in contact with You. I pray that You help me in the undertaking of all that is related to this decision. Even though the outcome is going to be tough I pray that You help me in moving on in life Amen. 



⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were to suffer persecution; so it turned out, as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith; I was afraid that somehow the tempter had tempted you and that our labor had been in vain.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verses 4 to 5)

 

Oh God my beloved Father, as Christians or Roman Catholics or any other religion that believes in Jesus Christ, we were never promised a bed of roses. Life was not planned to be without tribulation and plain sailing, However we were not left abandoned to our own fate. You promised and gave us the Holy Spirit as our means of backup, love and support. As much as St. Paul cared about the spiritual welfare of the people of Thessalonica, You also love us and want the best for our holistic welfare Amen.



⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love. He has told us also that you always remember us kindly and long to see us-just as we long to see you.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 6)

 

Even though Timothy may have brought other news and maybe even goods to the people of Thessalonica the message of the 'Good News' is the most precious news of all. The messages as found in the Bible have been my nourishment every single day of my life. Amen. Thank You Jesus.

⁷  For this reason, brothers and sisters, during all our distress and persecution we have been encouraged about you through your faith.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 7)

 

Oh God my Father, the power of faith in You gives me new energy to go in life, even though I am facing many tribulations and internal persecution. I pray that You continue to help me overcome the storms of my life Amen.



⁸ For we now live, if you continue to stand firm in the LORD. 

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 8)

 

Oh God my beloved Father, in You only do I live, without You my life is a state of chaos. I pray that You continue to give me the strength and  motivation to walk in Your ways Amen.



⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 9)

Oh God my Father, I can never stop thanking You for the many people that You sent in my life in order to be of love care and support, every body in one's own way is trying to offer me help, however in truth it is You who is helping me by means of such people. I pray that You give me the happiness that I used to have Amen. 




¹⁰ Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.  ¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verses 10 to 11)

 

Oh God night and day I also pray to hear Your voice directly again as I heard You once. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Now that You are freeing me of the ties of this world, I pray that You continue to direct me on the paths that lead to You Amen.

¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. Just as we abound in love for you.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 12)

Oh God my beloved Father, this is my prayer for the Church and for Society in general. May we increase in our love towards each other and may we increase in genuine numbers of believers so that we can be strengthened in the Lord my God and in unity Amen.

¹³ And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

(The First Letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians Chapter 3 verse 13)

Oh God my beloved Father, I pray that we become a magnet of love towards each other, in the sense that by the way we live, we attract more and more people to live according to Your ways Amen. May we all be found blameless in Your eyes Amen.

I would like to end the third chapter of St. Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians with the following prayer:

Oh God my beloved Father, I pray for unity in the world and in particular in the Universal Church, may it be protestants, Roman Catholics and believers of other faiths. May we all be united in our belief in God, and may we encourage others to become strengthened in this belief. Amen. May we all be fully convinced in what and whom we believe in so that our faith will be our Salvation and not our Condemnation Amen