To Encourage You

1 Thessalonians 1:2 “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantlymentioning you in our prayers”

Influence.  The dictionary defines it as follows: “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.”  It’s something that we desire to exert in the lives of others we care about, e.g., our children, our grandchildren, and our friends. We want to somehow be a force for good in their lives, because we love them.  But how is this possible if we aren’t with them very much?  In fact, is it possible?  Well, if we are believers, the answer is a resounding “Yes.”  An example of this is found in the verse above.  In Paul’s words we see the influence of the Thessalonian church on him, spiritually.  Throughout this letter Paul speaks of the godliness of the Thessalonian church. They were wonderful examples to other churches throughout Asia Minor. Later in this letter Paul says, “For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything” (1 Thessalonians 1:8).  In other words, their faith became known to others because the good news of the gospel “sounded forth from them,” i.e., they shared the truth with everyone they met.

But then they also showed the effect of the Word of God on their lives.  They didn’t just talk about it.  Their obedience to Christ influenced Paul to be thankful.  It gave him joy.  It’s like what we are told in Proverbs 15:20: “A wise son brings joy to his father,” i.e., a life lived to the glory of God has a wonderful effect on the lives of others that witness and are otherwise touched by that life. 

But then Paul mentions a way that he and the others who ministered with him had an influence on the Thessalonians’ lives. It was by prayer.  The Scripture tells us to “pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).  We can influence others, both physically and spiritually by prayer.  What a wonderful privilege this is.  We can influence others in our own family and we can influence Christians on the other side of the world, even if we’ve never met them, by prayer.  We may not see those impacts, but we can trust the Lord to be true to His Word.  And His Word to us is that if we pray for one another, our prayers are “effectual” as the King James Version put it, i.e., they have power to influence those we love for good. 

May God help us to live our lives to His glory and to pray for one another, as these things bring joy to our Heavenly Father, and have influence on others in the best possible way.