From the beginning of our study of 1 Thessalonians, I have hoped that we might see the passionate pastoral care of Paul and apply it to our care of others. Perhaps the most important element in caring for others is praying for them. Throughout the two epistles Paul wrote to the believers at Thessalonica, he references his prayers for them, actually including several pastoral prayers.

The body of Christ Jesus is composed of many members, but remains united as one body (1 Cor. 12:12). Each member has a role and corporately we serve one another and God. Individually, believers supply that which God has bestowed for the benefit of others so the church (singular) of the living God, fulfills her role while on earth.

I am persuaded (1) that our understanding of Who God is and how He interacts as Father and Son is not only more profound, but more important than how He interacts with us His creation and (2) that if we seek to know Him, which includes the interaction between the Father and the Son in Their role-relationship, we would be instructed how to govern our lives in a more godly manner (I maintain that the interaction between all members of the Godhead, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit is important, but the role-relationships as it relates to The Holy Spirit is not as specific in the scriptures as that between The Father and The Son).

As children, we might have wrestled with important questions such as, "If my house were on fire and I could only save one item, what would it be?" Or, "If I were stranded on a deserted island, what would be the one thing I would want to have with me?" Obviously, if on the deserted island, we would like to have either a boat or a satellite phone. If we eliminate flotation and communication devices, we may prefer tools to aid us in our survival.