praying for absent friends

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (JDV)

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with care for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he make your hearts blameless in devotion before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his devotees. Amen.

praying for absent friends

Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is a good example of a prayer for absent Christian friends. Here is my paraphrase:

Lord, I miss my friends. It has been too long since I have seen them and enjoyed their company. I ask you in your providence to bring us back to each other. Reunite us, so that we can be mutually encouraged and worship you together again.

In the mean time, I ask that you provide friends and fellow believers for them to share their lives with, caring for each other as deeply as I care for them.

May they grow more like you, and more deeply committed to you, as we all wait for our ultimate reunion when our Lord Jesus returns.