I Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers

March 6

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance. — I Thessalonians 1:2-5

Photo: Chad Littlejohn

ETERNAL GOD, our Father! Ere we go out into the world to meet its trials and temptations; we come to Thee for strength to fortify our spirits. Give us Thine own armor — Truth in our thoughts and motives, our words and actions; a sense of obligation in our work and in all our relationships; courage to face difficulty, because we know we are true and therefore have the Father with us. May our daily tasks, whether commonplace or exalted, be glorified in the consciousness that we are doing our Father's bidding. Give us patience with the shortcomings of others, and wisdom in the disciplining of our characters. May no evil blight this day, and mar the finished structure of our lives, but may we keep ourselves unspotted from the world. And as we go our several ways, wilt Thou watch between us while we are absent one from the other. Grant us this prayer in Christ's name. Amen.

Charles A. Eaton, D.D., M.A.,

New York City, New York