Anglican Devotional 13 May 2023 – A Spiritual Father’s Prayer

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 13 May 2023 – A Spiritual Father’s Prayer

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TOPIC: A Spiritual Father’s Prayer

READ: 2 Thessalonians 1: 1-12 (NKJV)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,

so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

[which is] manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

since [it is] a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,

and to [give] you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [His] goodness and the work of faith with power,

that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE MESSAGE:

Many years ago, my son became the best graduating student in their secondary school after being punished many times for preaching and organising their students’ fellowship. It was a great victory for his fellow believers. I was so happy to be associated with him and many parents and teachers including those who punished him became acquainted with me as the mother of their best student. Similarly, Paul expressed great joy about the exemplary life and perseverance of the Thessalonian believers amidst persecutions (2 Thessalonians 1: 3-4). They were a model to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia and their faith was known everywhere (1 Thessalonians 1: 7-8). Paul had confidence to boast about their faith (2 Thessalonians 1: 4). He prayed that:

(a) They would be counted worthy of God’s kingdom(verse 5);

(b) God would reward their persecutors and give them relief (verses 6-7);

(c) God may count them worthy of His calling (verse 11);

(d) God may fulfil every good purpose of theirs. These are very strategic prayers of a father for his spiritual children.

Beloved, emulate the Thessalonian Christians and live exemplary lives amidst trials, creating testimonies that will challenge other believers and the unrepentant. Mature believers should establish close relationship with young converts to mentor them and uphold them in prayers like Paul. Young converts often face many challenges and need fervent prayers to uphold them in the faith.

PRAYER: Pray, mentioning names of all your spiritual children.

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) provides daily scriptural readings and reflections to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. This edition for 13 May 2023 focuses on the theme of forgiveness and explores how we can receive and extend forgiveness to others as Christ did for us. Join us in this enriching journey of faith and discover the power of forgiveness in your life.