Praying for Increase in Love
In 1 Thessalonians 3 Paul is praying earnestly for the people in that church. He's praying with gratitude for them, he's praying for an opportunity to serve them in some way, and in verse 12 we read this: "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
Paul prays for his people's love to increase. And he assures them that his love for them is increasing. What a great picture of Christian community! We really are meant to be communities of love - defined by love, acting in love, speaking in love. After all, as Jesus said, it is our love for one another that will define us as Christians.
Love as the Heart of Christian Life
H.B. London is a minister who has also written a number of books, such as one I read last year called They Call Me Pastor. In it, he wrote this about his grandfather who was a minister – words that really touched my heart: "Love was the lifeblood of my grandfather's ministry. Because of him, it has become the essence of my life and ministry. I want desperately to let my family and congregation know how much I love them. I want to say it over and over. Whatever I have to do or say, I am determined that love will be my legacy. I want my family and my church to know that I love them. I am prepared to make any sacrifice to be sure that they know they are loved."
Profound stuff. Love must be the defining part of your Christian life. In fact I remember receiving similar words of advice from a mentor in the Methodist Church, Rev. Bill Meaker, who said to me once: "people will be willing to forgive you just about anything in the church if they know you love them." I think this is true.
Paul loved his people. And as he felt his love for them increasing, he prayed that God would increase their love for each other and for everyone.
Are your prayers filled with such language? Are you asking God to increase the love of the people in your church?
Praying Love into Your Church
Now, this shouldn't be a prayer that says "Lord, these silly people at my church need to learn to love more and be more like me." I know they say there's no wrong way to pray, but I don't think such a prayer is effective!
It needs to be more like this: "Lord, how I love the people in this church. We are all flawed and imperfect, but we try our best. Please increase our love! Please help us to be defined by love! Please help us to speak words of love and treat each other with the grace of Jesus."
This is the way I often pray for our church. I think it probably pales in comparison to the way Paul prayed for his. But that's okay.
May it be a year where you and I pray earnestly for our people, and may our prayers be effective, in seeing our people grow in Christlike love.
Jesus demonstrated that sometimes silent dignity speaks louder than words, especially when facing opposition or accusation. Learn when to respond with majestic silence rather than defending yourself with endless words.