11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, 12 and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, 13 so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.  1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

A. Apostle Paul’s Prayers for the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

1. Paul prays with thanksgiving for believers: 1 Thess. 1:2-3, Col. 1:3-4, Phil. 1:3-4, Matt. 11:25

2. Paul prays with thanksgiving for believer’s responding to God’s Word: 1 Thess. 2:13

3. Paul prays for opportunities to help believers spiritually mature: 1 Thess. 3:10

4. Paul prays for specific spiritual workings of God in believers: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, John 17:17

5. Paul prays for spiritual protection of believer’s reputations: 1 Thess. 5:23-24

B. The Characteristics in the Apostle Paul’s Prayers

1. Brief

2. Relational – vertically and horizontally

3. Spiritually focused

4. Specific with detail

5. God-centered