Thursday 16th October
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” (NIVUK)
Paul has let the Thessalonian believers know there will be an indefinite period of time before Jesus returns. His prayer communicates how they should feel and what they should do. He prays that they be encouraged and hopeful whilst they wait, despite the suffering and grief they now face. He also tells them they should be busy doing good and speaking truth. That their acts and speech communicate to others the love and grace they themselves have received. He prays that they pay it forward. Pray that others will pay it forward too.
