I. Introduction

Whatever we do in our lives, if we act in a spirit of togetherness, and a common purpose, things usually work out, despite the occasional disagreement or struggles we face. We see that in our home lives, our workplaces, community efforts and even here at our church. Coming together in a spirit of togetherness is what gives us strength, hope and faith to overcome challenges. God knew this from the beginning, so when the divine call came to those who led the people of Israel, they understood their mission was to keep the people together and close to God in prayer. That was not easy, and so here we find ourselves in the New Testament when the Son of God and an apostle of God both offer their prayers for the church of God to be one with each other and with God.

II. How Paul and Jesus prayed for the believers in Christ

In our two scriptures we see how both Paul and Jesus pray for the followers of Christ. Paul reminds the congregation in Thessalonica of the teaching about the Second Coming of Christ, the Day of the Lord. They must not be swayed by those who are deceiving them into believing that the Day of the Lord has already come. Nobody knows when that day will come. They are experiencing the beginning of the Day of the Lord; in other words, they are on a journey to meet Christ when He returns. He then speaks about those who rebel against God, who are lawless and unwilling to submit themselves to the Holy One. In contrast to this lawlessness and rebellion against God, Paul wants the Thessalonians to know that he and his friends are thanking God for their salvation from sin, and the call they had received from God to be Body of Christ. Given what they have been facing, he prays for them, because they cannot do the work of God through their own strength. Their source of strength is God. He prays that God will strengthen their hearts and their inner being, encourage them in their faith, and every every word they speak and work they undertake. They do not have to be concerned about those who walk around with evil intent, because God is their strength and hope, and that hope will endure until the coming Day of the Lord.

In John 17 we see how Jesus prayed for Himself, for His disciples and in our passage, for all believers, including us today. Jesus' focus in this prayer for the believers is that they be one, the way He is one with God. That unity between the church and Christ and God is what gives the church its identity and purpose. The church belongs to God, and it exists because of the great act of reconciliation through Christ's death and resurrection. That is the nature of the church. He explains to God that He gave them God's glory, meaning the manifestation of God's essence, character, and presence. According to Edward Klink in his commentary on John, Jesus then asks God to consecrate them into the fullness of and oneness with God. This is not a oneness through human effort alone but is brought about by the Spirit of God and is therefore established through divine action.

III. Conclusion: Praying Together

Paul's and Jesus' prayers for God's church are strong demonstrations of God's love for believers worldwide. Their prayers demonstrate also the purpose of God with the church, that the church will be one, together in love and prayer and service. It is a unity by the Spirit of God, always dwelling among us, Who wants to enter our very beings, and Who wants to transform our hearts, minds and souls according to the divine love and will of God. Therefore, when we come today anew before God to offer our lives, our gifts, our talents, and from the fruit of our labor, we are called by Godself to confess our sins, to receive our salvation from our sinful nature, to give ourselves completely to God, and in doing so, God consecrates us and blesses us as we say yes to love and serve our church community. God is asking from us this morning to look deep within ourselves and open up the places that need forgiveness and healing and reconciliation with God and with each other. May God do this work this morning, this evening, tomorrow and every day. May God make us into a praying church and bind us into a community of togetherness. Amen