Devotion 

We Pray For You

Frances Taylor 

Paul is praying for the people in Thessalonica who had accepted the Good News and had become Christians. Paul praised them for their kindness and acceptance of Gospel and how they were spreading their faith in the region. How often do we pray for those who have taught us our faith? Whether these are family members, members of the clergy, friends, they deserve our prayers of thanksgiving. We also need to pray for those whom we have taught. Maybe we haven't taught in a formal sense, but each of us has brought the faith to our children, neighbors, co-workers and any others with whom we have shared our beliefs. We should also pray for ourselves and our ability to live our faith each day. We need to stay strong in our faith each day and it doesn't hurt to pray for ourselves, our families and our friends. We all pray for the sick and for the needs of friends, and we pray for people who ask for prayers, but do we think to thank God for the gift of faith and the courage to stay firm. Maybe we don't think it's necessary to pray for faith, but we don't have any idea of how difficult it can be to live our faith in today's culture. We live in a way that is counter-cultural. We try to live a moral life, one that is based on love and justice and not greed and selfishness. This is not the way of the world. Perhaps we had better begin – or continue – to pray for the ability to stay strong for ourselves and those we love.

Prayer 

Lord, you have gifted us with faith and we try to follow in the footsteps of your Son, Jesus. Please give us the graces we need to do this well. Amen.