As we sojourn in this fallen world, we feel the gravitational pull of glory. Our longing now has to do not only with the depletion caused by weariness and weakness but also a longing for our completion in Him who began a good work in us.

 Brethren, pray for us.
1 Thessalonians 5:25, NKJV

The apostle Paul has written his letter to a church, a community of faith founded and formed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had a hand in that formation. God had used his ministry among them. Paul’s close to his first letter to the church at Thessalonica reflects both of these features—community and Christ, gathering and grace.

Almost as a postscript following his benediction, Paul asks his brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for him and his coworkers (1 Thess. 5:25). Here we have a stark reminder that all we accomplish, God does for us (Is. 26:12). We labor with His energy at work within us. We till and sow and tend, but it is God who causes the growth.

That’s true of our spiritual development in Christ and our spiritual deployment for the sake of His kingdom. And that is why prayer is integral to all we do for the sake of Christ. Unless the Lord builds the house, we labor in vain to build it.

“Brethren, pray for us.” What might Paul want them to pray? We could construct a reliable prayer list by scouring his epistles, including what he has just written to the Thessalonians, but one example will suffice. Paul enjoins the saints at Ephesus to pray for one another (Eph. 6:18) and also for him: “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:19–20).

If anyone would be qualified to explain the gospel, it would be Paul. But he asks for prayer. If anyone would be bold to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ, it would be Paul. But he asks for prayer. If anyone would be obedient to the Great Commission, it would be Paul. But he asks for prayer, prayer from those who understand and share his mission under the lordship of Jesus. We need Him who is with us and for us, and so we pray.

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