Prayer – the gift that needs no receipt

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12  (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfil by his power every good resolve and work of faith,’

2 Thessalonians 1:11

My husband is a self-confessed last-minute gift shopper. I can guarantee that as you read today’s devotional, he will not have started any form of Christmas preparations and will instead be waiting for a Christmas Eve dash! This is partly my fault as I never give him any clue of a gift I would like, so leave him in the uncertain territory of having to choose a gift without guidance. Often this gift (after much guilt and apologising on my behalf) ends up being returned.

Paul however, never left the Thessalonians feeling uncertain about what they needed. He made it clear that they could rely unwaveringly on the gift of prayer and that this gift would be a constant, ceaseless, ever-giving ‘present’. If there was one gift the Thessalonians desperately needed at this time of persecution and hardship, it was prayer to strengthen their resolve and give them light in a time of darkness. Paul makes it clear that he understood that times were difficult for them, yet encourages them to focus on God’s calling in their lives and to hold steadfast to their faith rather than looking inwards or feel that these hard times were too much to bear.

Sometimes in the business (or busyness) of our day-to-day lives we can lose sight of God’s calling. There is so much anticipation and so much to prepare that we risk losing sight of God’s calling and God’s promised inheritance by seeking comfort in distractions. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to trust in the power of prayer; to live honouring God and to grow in faith in Christ.

Perhaps therefore we should rethink our Christmas gift list. Asking for a gift that needs no eleventh-hour panic buying, needs no money, puts no stress on the credit card and will not need returning. It needs no wrapping paper, bow, or gift tag. It is the gift of prayer. Prayer that we live up to our calling as believers; that we are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and that we grow in faith to delight more in Jesus. Now that’s one gift that won’t be returned in the January sales!

Victoria Gow, Headteacher, Balderstone St Leonard’s CE Primary & Pre-school.