The importance of following Paul’s lead in praying for others (2 Thessalonians 1.11).
Context
Two stories have dominated the news in the UK this week as they have unfolded. An arrest has been made in the case of the bodies found in a van in Essex. After several attempts and debates in Parliament the Prime Minister finally got agreement for a general election in December.
Meanwhile. as the Independent reported, flooding has hit Somalia.
Reflection
The Thessalonian Christians faced difficult times and yet they continued to hold faithfully to the gospel that had been shown to them. Paul writes to encourage them, but he does not offer a quick fix or an easy release from persecution. Rather he promises to pray for them. A promise frequently repeated in his letters. He is motivated by a dual conviction that God will provide strength to endure that which must be faced and that the present suffering will pale into insignificance besides the joy of the kingdom.
This reinforces the importance and power of prayer. For most of us it is hard to imagine how grim the situation must be for people to invest what little they have in people traffickers. It is both despair at their present situation and hope for something better that drives people to put their trust in the false hope offered to them. The deaths in Essex represent a tragic ending to a situation faced by countless people today. It reminds us of the prime importance of prayer. Our prayers should be for those who are in the news such as the families of those whose loved ones have perished thousands of miles from home in places which they may have barely heard of and for those in Somalia who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of floods.
We should also be praying for those around the world who are vulnerable to the false hopes offered by people traffickers. Paul prayed that the Thessalonians should have good resolve in their situation. Resolution is often the only answer to temptation. It is resolution that is required by those targeted by traffickers.
In a sense, there is little comparison between the suffering described above and the United Kingdom facing a general election. However, every situation is well served by sincere and thoughtful prayer. It is a time of uncertainty and unsettlement. Prayer brings comfort and strength. Paul addresses the Thessalonians both individually and corporately. Our prayers can make a difference to the United Kingdom as a nation. The General Election and Brexit will bring about change in our relationships within the world. The country needs to discern what role God has for us and to pray for the power to fulfil it.
Prayer should also be offered for all politicians that they may be sincere in what they promise and faithful in serving those whom they represent and for voters that they may be motivated by the bigger picture and see the election as an opportunity to build a better world.
Prayer
These prayers could be used as or with the intercessions.
We pray for those whose plight is so dreadful that they seek an escape, any escape;
for those whose loved ones were found dead in a container in Grays, Essex;
and all those subjected to human trafficking.
Have mercy, Lord.
Have mercy.
We pray for those in Somalia affected by the floods;
those who have lost homes and livelihoods,
and those having to restart their lives in new places.
Have mercy, Lord.
Have mercy.
We pray for this country as it faces a general election;
for all politicians that they may be sincere in what they promise;
for voters to see the bigger picture
and use the election as an opportunity to build a better world.
Have mercy, Lord.
Have mercy. Amen.
Questions
- How does prayer make a difference?
- What would it mean to you to be worthy of God’s call?
- What three situations should you be praying about?
All-age activity
In groups of three or four, share your ICT for prayer, where:
- I is an influence upon you.
- C is a concern you have.
- T is a thanksgiving.
Invite the groups to conclude with a prayer (e.g. this week’s Prayer of approach - page 7 in the Adult & All Age magazine, issue 104).
Young people
Talk about prayer as a corporate activity that all share in. Often the sharing is simply through thinking, but today it will be by speaking. Sometimes it is difficult to say a prayer out loud in front of other people, so all you have to do today is add one word to the prayer. Begin with ‘We pray…’ then go round the group with each person adding one word.
Stuart Wild is a minister in the Bolton and Rochdale Methodist District
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