We have already noted that a frequent part of Paul’s prayers for his brethren involved giving thanks for them, especially related to their faith, love and hope (see 1 Thes. 1:3). What else did Paul pray for regarding his brethren? Let’s take a brief glance at what we find in his letters.
First, a common prayer for his brethren was for the Lord’s grace, peace and/or mercy to be with them. This is frequently a part of his salutation (see Rom. 1:7; Eph. 1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1) and sometimes also a part of his final greeting (see 1 Cor. 16:23; Eph. 6:24; 1 Thes. 5:28). Of course, these were not empty words, but these are some of the richest words and most elevated desires a Christian can have for brethren. It doesn’t get any better than residing in God’s grace, peace and mercy! We certainly ought to pray this for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Secondly, Paul frequently prayed for his brethren’s relationship with the word of the Lord. Paul gave thanks to God that the Thessalonian brethren received the word of God as truly being the word of God (see 1 Thes. 2:13). He was thankful they did not receive it as merely his word or the word of any man. Paul also continually asked the Lord to give them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” (Eph. 1:17; see also vv. 15-19).
Look very carefully at chapter three of this book where Paul says in verses 7-9, “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things.” The unsearchable riches of Christ were revealed by Paul (and others), and he prayed for their “knowledge of him” (Christ), through his word.
Continuing in verses 14-19, he says, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” The “love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” is known through inspired teaching. Paul prays about the reception and growth in knowledge and strengthening of the inward being of his brethren, and we should as well.
Thirdly, though we have already mentioned love in the previous lesson (especially being a part of the thanksgiving of Paul that he expresses early in some of his letters), I want us to recognize that this was no mere standardized greeting or prayer of Paul. He was not only thankful for the love of his brethren, he prayed that their love would “abound more and more” (Phil. 1:9).
We can also rightly group the concept of unity in there with this love. Paul prays in Romans 15:5-6, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul prayed that they might have “one voice.” This reminds us of Jesus’ prayer for His followers in John 17 where He said, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” How important is it that we pray for our love and unity as brethren?
In the fourth place, we should note that Paul prayed for his brethren’s sharing of faith. As we noted in the previous lesson, Paul gave thanks that the Thessalonians’ faith had become so widely known (see 1 Thes. 1:2-10). Notice Paul’s prayer in Philemon verses 4-7 where he says, “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” We ought to pray for one another’s faith and that our brethren will do their part in making the faith known to lost souls.
Finally, Paul prayed regarding the status of his brethren at the return of the Lord. In a sense, he entrusted them to the Lord. His prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:13 involves the Lord establishing their “hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” He also prays at the conclusion of the letter: “may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (5:23). Ultimately, there is no greater prayer that we can have for our brethren than being ready to receive the eternal kingdom when the Christ delivers His church to the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). Pray about the faithfulness and eternal salvation of your brethren!
May the Lord bless you and keep you through His love and power! (see 1 Pt. 1:5).
Daren Schroeder
