April 1

Read: I Thessalonians 5:23-24

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Thessalonians 5:23).

I Pray God

Who were these people of Thessalonica for whom Paul interceded? And why did the Apostle pray this special prayer for them? They were not sinners; rather they were church members — and in many ways they were faithful Christians. Paul speaks of their work of faith, labor of love, patience, hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, election of God, and following the Lord (1:3-6). Despite these Christian virtues, the Thessalonians needed the sanctifying grace of God, and Paul earnestly urged this blessing upon them.

The Apostle had suffered too much for these converts in the church to belabor them unnecessarily. He used urgent language, just as a surgeon must use a sharp scalpel, but he used that language only that those who read his words might be healed.

Often Paul’s Epistles turned into prayers. So it is in this passage: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul knew that entire sanctification was a loving gift from the God of peace. This healer of souls also knew that the gracious gift meant life for the spirit, health for the soul, and blessing for the body. His heart’s desire and prayer to God for these converts whom he had won to Christ and whom he loved as his own life was that they might know the fullness of the blessing.

God of all-sufficient grace, My God in Christ Thou art; Bid me walk before Thy face, Till I am pure in heart.

— Wesley’s Hymns