In 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, Paul, Silas, and Timothy offer three prayers: Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. The first prayer asks that God would overcome the distance that separates us from one another. … Continue reading The Priority of Face to Face (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

My wife and I are trying to teach our three-year-old son good manners. When he wants something, we remind him to say, “Please!” And when he gets it, we remind him to say, “Thank you!” “Please!” and “Thank you!” are good table manners, but they’re also good prayer manners. Indeed, prayer seems to be little more than asking and thanking. Consider what Paul, Silas, and Timothy wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:9–10: How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we … Continue reading Good Prayer Manners (1 Thessalonians 3:9–10)