GIVING THANKS TO GOD IN OUR PRAYERS (1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-4)

Dear Members in Christ,

Giving Thanks to God in Our Prayers (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4)

What do we usually remember in our thanksgiving prayers for our loved ones? In this pandemic, we will often remember to pray for God’s protection upon us, to keep us from being infected with the Covid-19 virus. For those who are aged or physically infirmed, we will remember to pray for their good health and general wellness. On other matters, we also pray for our children to do well in their studies. It is rightful that we thank God for the continued protection, health, and well-being, and success of our dear ones. 

What about giving thanks in prayer for the spiritual well-being of our loved ones? In the opening verses of the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Thessalonians, the Apostle to the Gentiles offered a thanksgiving prayer for the Christians in Thessalonians. 

“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. ” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4

There is much we can learn from the Apostle Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving. It guides us to know the preciousness of the faith that God has bestowed upon His elect.

Praying often for the saints

Firstly, we note that Paul mentions the frequency of his thanksgiving and his prayers. He writes, “We give thanks to God always for you all…” This is also a prayer which is made frequently, and the word which Paul uses to denote frequency is “always,” meaning at all times. The prayer of thanksgiving is made often in their prayers. Secondly, consider that the Apostle Paul begins his letter naming Silvanus, Timothy, and himself and as for the prayer in verse two, he uses the plural pronoun “we.” These prayers and thanksgiving were made with several people being named. With this understanding, we develop a snapshot of what it would have been, that it is likely that the thanksgiving prayers were made frequently and often, in an assembly not unlike a gathering for a prayer meeting.

This is a practice that we adhere to and we acknowledge as well. In our weekly prayer meetings, and our corporate prayers, we give thanks to God for His manifold blessings which He has shed upon His people. The very first item for prayer in our prayer list at every Thursday night prayer meeting is “Thanksgiving.” We do so because we acknowledge that it is God who bestows blessings and goodness upon us. 

Fellow Christians, let us be reminded to give thanks always to God for His blessings upon our loved ones in our prayers. We ought to remember to give thanks for the blessing of salvation and spiritual sustenance upon us all. Let us remember to give thanks to God in our private and corporate prayers. 

Praying for their work of faith and their service

What is it about the Thessalonians that Paul is thankful to God for? In verse two, Paul writes, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…” The Thessalonians have been exemplary in their good works. They have turned from their idols to worship the True and living God. So well proclaimed was their conversion that it has become an example to others in the region as Paul attests, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.” 1 Thess 1:6, 7.   

Despite the afflictions placed upon them, the Christians in Thessalonica displayed patience and perseverance. Paul commends them for their “…patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” The faith of the Thessalonians has become a showcase of steadfastness in the face of persecution. This is commendable, but Paul acknowledges and gives thanks to God for this spiritual virtue amongst the Thessalonians. There are several important lessons in this passage for us. Firstly, Paul gives thanks to God, not to men. His prayer of gratitude is towards God, although the outward good work is manifested by men (the Thessalonians). Secondly, Paul is grateful to God for the outward display of faith and the labor of love by the Thessalonians. As Ellicott comments, the “loving labor” or “work done in the spirit of love” exhibited by the Thessalonians.

Our Thanksgiving to God for those who labor with love

Under the difficult circumstances in those days, the Thessalonians displayed great brotherly love. Paul himself comments, “But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” 1 Thess 4:9. For Christians to show love and mercy and help one another in times of need is commendable, and worthy of thanksgiving to God.

Brothers and Sisters, do we seek the opportunity to show brotherly love to others? There are ample opportunities to do so. There may be some who are feeling depressed by the economic woes brought about by the pandemic or a fellow Christian who is afflicted by illness and could do with the encouragement of prayer and comfort. This is an opportunity to display the exemplary love shown by the Thessalonian Christians.

Let us also remember in our prayers to thank God for the work of faith and love by God’s people. Every act of selfless service, every act of faith is worthy of mention for thanksgiving before God. In this respect, it is with thanks to God that we give mention of those who labor to make the weekly live-stream worship available to worshippers. Those who labor to ensure the good working order of the PA system, those who oversee the music ministry, those chairing the worship services, bulletin publications, administration of online classes enrolment, etc, etc.

We have much to be thankful to God for. Just as Paul thanked God for the work of faith amongst the Thessalonians, we thank God for His work in the hearts of His people. These acts of Christian love are truly thankworthy, for we see the wondrous work of God amongst His people.

Giving thanks for their faith in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

The thanksgiving prayer mentioned by Paul is on account of, “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.”  1 Thess 1:3. All the good and exemplary work of the Christians in Thessalonica is on account of God’s sovereignty in the election of the Thessalonians. Election is of God and no man can will it to happen. It is the act of a sovereign God to elect whomsoever He chooses. Therefore, every good work, every blessing of spiritual significance comes to this – God’s sovereign will. Therefore, Paul thanks God for the election of the Christians in Thessalonica. 

Let us close with this thought. When we pray the prayer of thanksgiving, we must realize that it is God who bestows all spiritual blessings. And the blessings which come upon us depends upon our obedience and close communion with God, a fact contingent upon our election in the first place. As we thank God for the good works of His people, let us also remember God’s goodness in our election, and thus we are spurred with gratitude, to greater zeal and service for Him. To God be the glory.

 

In Christ,

Dn Ben Lim Seh Beng