Harness The Power Of Prayer
BRD REFLECTION 2026
2 Thessalonians 3 and Psalm 115:5-8 (NIV)
(Peggie Chan from Communications)
READ:
2 Thessalonians 3 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
Paul referred to the disorderliness that he noted was rife in the Thessalonian church. He reminded and exhorted the church to pay attention to traits that make for wholesome Christian living, both for the individual and the church community.
One trait is to pray for the gospel to spread quickly. He himself prayed for the Thessalonian church to be attuned to the “love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (v.5).
Further, he reiterated God’s commands that they are not to be idle, disruptive, or busybodies.
APPLY:
As a young believer, I used to be irked by a friend’s constant requests for prayer. “Why could she not pray for it herself?” Now I understand that, as part of her community, it was natural for her to solicit prayers from me, just as Paul solicited prayer from the Thessalonian church.
All of Paul’s injunctions were initiated by love. For me, when I pray for someone, how much of it is done out of love? How much of it is rote or a promise?
Regarding the accusation of being busybodies, I searched myself: can I draw the line between being concerned about others’ situations out of love and wanting to meddle in their lives and feel good that I am helping in some way?
DO:
I want to continue to see prayer as a powerful lifeline, not only when others and I are in crises, but also as something as important as life itself. I will actively solicit prayer to keep me connected to my community and to encourage and spur them on, as Paul did with the Thessalonians.
I need to be more attuned to the heartbeat of the community of which I am a member. I need to know when they need help and when I can give help. I need to do better when interacting with them and, whenever conflicts surface between us, act to resolve them with and out of love, looking to God and His ways, not mine.
PRAY:
Father God, help me to pray for others and see Your power in our lives. Help me to solicit prayer from others fervently and naturally, as it connects them to me. Teach me to help others by eliciting help from You, rather than relying on my own devices, lest I boast about it. Above all, teach me to love the way You love, and let that be the basis of all I do for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
