Praise and Thanksgiving

Paul begins his letter to the Thessalonians in his typical matter. He begins by stating who is writing the letter, who he is writing to – the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – and then bestows on them grace and peace. Then he begins the letter telling them that he gives thanks to God for them and mentions them in prayer constantly. I wonder how often you give thanks for each other and remember them in prayer. I do remember you in prayer although not constantly as Paul says. I pray for you using the membership list. Starting with ‘a’ and then, each day after, praying in alphabetical order. But then, some days my daily prayers get left behind because I think other things are more important. They are not. Daily prayer can be hard work and feel like an intrusion on your task. It is, I suppose, not a requirement. It is a gift that you can take the worries and concerns of your life and tell them to God and give thanks for each other.

If you have difficulty in prayer you are not alone. The disciples themselves had the same problem. Remember the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed that he did not have to undergo the task set before him. There the disciples could not even stay awake to pray. Probably because they realized what was happening and they were too depressed to stay awake and pray. That was a time they should have prayed but were unable to. That is why we pray for each other. We cannot ourselves always pray. That is also why we gather in this place on a weekly basis. We give thanks together for the gifts that God has bestowed on us strengthening and upholding and caring for each other so that we can be imitators of Jesus.

You have been given the ability to take your concerns, struggles, sadness, and joys to the Lord in prayer not for great reward. You already have that in Christ Jesus. You pray to experience God’s love and learn God’s plan for you. Look again to the Thessalonians. They did not have an easy life. They were persecuted for their faith. Yet they were also known for their hospitality and how they lived their life in joy. It seems that they were so moved by God’s gift of Jesus that they spent a great deal of time telling everyone they knew about God’s salvation. That is us – undeserving as we are – proclaim God’s welcoming grace to the world by all that we do and say.

Our gospel reading reminds us that, if we are to be imitators of Jesus, we will show no partiality. We will share our gifts with all and not just with those who think, look, or live like us. God has always called God’s people to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves – the orphans, widows, and foreigners in our land. And like Cyrus (who was not even an Israelite) we are called to do God’s work and proclaim God’s freedom from the bondage to sin and death.

This week as you spend time in prayer remember that it truly is a gift to be able to share all your thoughts, worries, and joys with God. Then ask that God help and guide you as you use your life as a sign of God’s love to all the world.