Praying with Paul - "prayer perseverance"
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
(This message is online at: northwestchurch.church) - Use this listening guide as you watch the video worship services online. This will also have questions you can use with your connect group.
“What do we do when there’s ______________________we can do?”
--- Perseverance means to “___________________________”
He wants them to live _________________ – what God has _____________________
He’s praying that God would count them ________________________ of His calling
He’s praying that God’s power would help them do what _________________________
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Cor. 4:8-9
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:7 - 7 Now we have this treasure in clay jars, (or earthen vessels) so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
CONNECT GROUP
ICEBREAKER—
What are some things that you are thankful for in the lives of fellow believers?
APPLY THE Scripture : READ 2 Cor. 4:8-9 Paul wants us to know pressure points to something. What does it point to?
Q1— What are some wrong motives for serving the Lord? How does serving for the wrong motives lead to big trouble??
Q2—. Why would Paul “brag” about the Thessalonian church to other churches??
Q3— What five things does Paul pray for in behalf of the Thessalonians? (11-12)?
Q4— Pastor Paul made the statement: “It’s possible to have grace and waste it” What does that mean to you ?
A LITTLE Prayer HOMEWORK:
· - Before you look at the assignment for this week, take some time to pray for each other in your group, using the same kind of prayers that Paul uses in verses 3-4 and 11-12.
· Plan in two times during this week to pause and pray for other believers, using the kind of language that Paul uses in verses 3-4 and 11-12. (See also 2 Thess 2:16-17; 3:1- 5; 3:16) Why not send a quick message to one or two of the people you prayed for with an encouragement and a quote from one of the verses?
Father,
I lift up ______________ to You right now. I know it can’t be easy for _____________ to be going through the turbulence and the pressure. I’m praying for comfort for _______________ we know, You know more than we do, and Father You care for _______________. You have a purpose for _____________ in this season. Your Word says everything works together for the good to those who love you. Father, ______________ loves you. You have made your power available to _______________ and I’m asking right now for that victorious power for __________. Father, fill _______________ with your grace and may _________________ glorify You. May _____________s’ life be a testimony of grace to those around him/her. I pray this in the name of Jesus.
Amen