² We always thank God for all of you and pray for you constantly. ³As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 1: 2-3 (NLT)“we always thank God for all of you...” It may be that it should have been obvious, but Paul deemed it important to remind the church.“…and pray for you constantly.” This might not have been as obvious. As a result, it was important that the letter included such a reminder, or more importantly, a notice of commitment.“As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Clearly, Paul indicates that it is the church’s faithfulness, their actions done in love and their witness of an enduring hope through Christ Jesus that have made him, Silas, and Timothy thankful for their brothers and sisters and have resulted in their commitment to constantly pray for the church.

Some things are obvious… or are they? The apostle assured the church in Thessalonica that

Further, the apostle writes:

Sadly, there have been many times that we have communicated commitment to pray but somehow it never happens. We get distracted or we forget. Or what about the prayer commitments we make that suggest our supplications will be continual and long term, but after initially praying, the frequency dwindles.

The apostle gives us an idea of how to be true to our prayer commitments.

These are great thoughts the apostle has about the believers in Thessalonica. As we, sending and receiving countries alike, think of each other on this day of prayer, it is wonderful to realize that we share these same thoughts about one another. We are truly thankful to God for the body of Christ and we commit not just to lift each other up on Days of Prayer and Fasting but rather, to be praying every day. We think of all the faithful work, loving deeds, and enduring hope expressed by all who give themselves to the Operation Christmas Child project across the world in both sending and receiving countries. It is obvious that we should be thankful to God and be motivated to pray constantly. So as we use this guide, let it be a reminder and a call to a renewed commitment to pray beyond this day, both for our wonderful OCC family and for those reached and yet to be reached for Jesus.

“Never stop praying.” I Thessalonians 5: 17 (NLT)