What Is In My Prayer?

[S] 1 Thessalonians 1:2 --
 ²We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

[O] Leading up to writing this letter was much prayer by Paul for the Thessalonian Church.  Paul wasn't some leader sitting at the top of the castle commanding others to do this and that but he led his followers very practically by thinking of them all the time, which I'm sure led to prayer for them continually.  And if you think about it, in order to pray for others you must know what's happening with them so he had open communication with them (even before the Internet days) to fully aware of their conditions.  Paul was the pioneer of bi-vocational minister (or the term he started: a tent maker) and he was right at the ground level running with the folks he is leading as he ministers to them.  So in order for him to write this sentence, he was for sure living up to what he wrote.

[A] Caring and nurturing for others in God's ministry not only takes time but energy to constantly keep in touch and openly communicate.  So, I need to set my own expectation for leading and caring for others will demand a good chunk of my life.  Don't get exhausted too quickly.  Pray for them all the time like Paul.

[P] Dear God, Paul's example inspires me to lead others in Your ministry at church.  Please continue to energize me through Your word and Holy Spirit's indwelling.  Thank You for always leading me with encouragements whenever I'm desperately needing it.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.