In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-8 we can easily see a helpful guideline on how to pray for each other. Read the text with me:
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
In these verses Paul explains how Timothy had arrived with good news of their faith and love. Paul learned the Thessalonians had ‘pleasant memories of’ him and his team and they were longing to see him as much as he was longing to see them. This was not a complete surprise. In all his ‘distress and persecution’ Paul had been encouraged by the thought of their faith. He is so happy to hear they are ‘standing firm in the Lord’!
Paul prayed for them all the time they were apart but he was anxious. He was afraid that in some way the devil might have tempted them and their work would have been useless. Timothy has now reassured him. What a relief! Paul always found faith in others encouraging, especially in distress and persecution, so he was glad to know of their progress.
We are all the same. One thing we can all do to help ourselves to pray better is to try to stay informed about one another. We must pray for each other no matter what but, generally speaking, it is easier if we stay informed about each other and know what is going on in each others lives. Please reach out to each other no more than ever and stay informed. Shall we pray?
I love you,
Alex