William Law said, “There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him.” You cannot stubbornly hate a person you sincerely pray for. Prayer cultivates and characterizes love. Many relationships have benefited from what one writer has called “The Five Love Languages.” Unfortunately, prayer is not one of these love languages. Yet there is no greater way to love a person than to pray for that person. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 shows us what it looks like when love prays.  During his second missionary journey, Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica. Many repented of their sins and trusted Christ. The church at Thessalonica was born. Envious religious leaders stirred up a mob to cause trouble. Acts 17:6 says, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here...

  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 All Christians in all places at all times are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. The verbs are normal. The adverbs are radical: Always. Without ceasing. In all circumstances. The three exhortations stand together. To rejoice always is to pray without ceasing. To pray without ceasing is to give thanks in all circumstances. Yet each exhortation stands alone. What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Pray constantly. To pray without ceasing is...

A Crash Course in Church Membership

  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18   Do you know what the shortest verse in the New Testament is? The obvious answer is John 11:35: “Jesus wept.” It is the shortest verse in our English translations of the Bible. But the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament is 1 Thessalonians 5:16: “Rejoice always.” It is a little verse with big implications.   A Call to Joy   The word “rejoice” is a call to joy. The term was...