These verses are a prayer, by Paul’s apostolic team (including Silas and Timothy), to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ – for the Christians in Thessalonica.  Paul had longed to meet them in person but had been obstructed by a mob (Acts 17:5-10) and prevented by Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18).  Only the Lord could clear the way.  Only He was stronger than violent men and evil demons.  Instead of struggling to work out a plan and push it through by himself, Paul prayed and left the matter in God’s hands.

Paul knew how important it was for the church to be united, for believers to love each other (John 13:35).  Although he uses this letter to restate doctrinal truth, he knows that only the Lord can turn frightened hearts that want to hide into hearts which are willing to sacrifice for others.  Only the Lord has the power to banish fear and induce people to love each other without reserve.  That kind of love was in Paul’s heart for the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:7-8).  So, he prays that the same Lord will put the same overflow of love into the believers’ hearts, even in the midst of persecution (1 Thessalonians 4:9). 

Those new Christians had much to learn, and this letter is Paul’s instruction to them.  But He knew that advice, teaching and encouragement could only go so far.  The strength they needed was more than spiritual discipline; only God could infuse weak and battered people with power to go on.  The holiness they needed was more than memorising a catechism; they needed a heartfelt desire to be holy like Jesus … and only God can give that inner desire and purity.  Being ready for Jesus’ second coming needed more than discipled rule-keeping; it needed a hunger for righteousness that only God can give.  And so, Paul prayed that the Lord would work into their hearts what only He can do.  

Paul’s prayer did not mean that he abandoned teaching, rebuking, correcting and training (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but he knew that people cannot change themselves - only God can change people … so that they keep going through many troubles, and live pure lives in preparation for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  He knew that the One who had called them is faithful and He will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).  Whatever our responsibility for people, and we must work hard to fulfil our commission (1 Thessalonians 1:3), only God can change hearts and lives.  That is why we pray.  Whatever your ministry, its eternal effectiveness is totally dependent on God’s power.  Augustine (AD 354-430) wrote, ‘Pray as though everything depended on God.  Work as though everything depended on you.’   Does your prayer match your work?