You Can Ask God to Do This for You

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:5 This letter was written to Christians who were experiencing the draining effect of the difficulties of life. You may be thinking, “That’s me! I’m constantly drained by difficulties in my home, tensions at work, endless visits to the doctor, ongoing pain, difficulties in my marriage, a wayward son or daughter.” And so you find yourself saying, “I need love and I need patience!” Notice something wonderful about this verse. Paul is not asking Christians to do something for God. He is asking God to do something for them. He is saying to these Christians, “I see what you are up against, and I am asking God to do something special for you.” The whole point is that our Father in heaven is able to give His children the love and patience they need. If these Christians were brimming full of love and overflowing with patience, there would be no need for this prayer. The whole point of the prayer is that Paul is asking God to give them what they do not have in themselves. Father, give me the love and patience I need. You have love and patience in abundance. I don’t. Give me what I lack. Fill my dried-out heart with your love. Fill this frantic life with the peace and patience of Christ. Amen! Written by Colin Smith Read by Sue McLeish