2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17 - ENCOURAGEMENT

Encouragement

Father, you keep showing me

ways to pray for my family.

Lord, encourage my children’s hearts.

Strengthen them your word to impart.

Give them power to do good deeds.

Let them know your love has met their needs.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who loved us and by his grace 

gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

encourage your hearts and strengthen you 

in every good deed and word.”

II Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)

paraklēsis³⁸⁷⁴ – imploration, hortation, solace: - comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty.

parakalĕō³⁸⁷⁰ – to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), intreat, pray.

            “Mine!” said the toddler as he grabbed the toy from his baby sister. From the earliest moments of life we are self-centered and selfishly motivated. Treating others well must be patiently taught and modeled.  Sharing is one of the most difficult concepts we convey to our children. Perhaps this is because we have not mastered the practice of thinking of others above ourselves even as adults.

            For this reason we need to pray for our children and for each other that Christ will strengthen us in every good deed and word.  Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  Here he prays that Christ will strengthen the Thessalonians. He also prays that the Lord will encourage them.

            The Lord encourages us through the work of the Holy Spirit (Paraklētŏs-an intercessor, consoler: advocate, comforter.) The Spirit convicts, instructs, and guides us into truth (John 16:5-15). The Lord illumines the scripture as we read so we may know what good deeds we are to do and be encouraged to do them. He helps us to understand his word and share it with others. He comforts us and enables us to comfort others (II Corinthians 1:3-7).

            Lord, strengthen me to do your will and to encourage those you place in my path. Help Tom, Esther, and Christan to be strong in your love and choose their words and deeds according to your will.  Thank you for the encouragement you have given through your word, your Holy Spirit, and the family and friends you have placed in my life.