A short devotional that draws on Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians to encourage Christians to pray daily for growing love—toward fellow believers and toward all people—relying on Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
Christian love should extend beyond the church to all people, drawing on Old and New Testament commands to love neighbors and even enemies.
A simple model: confess shortcomings, read God’s love in the Bible daily, and pray for God to increase your love for others.
# Summary
This devotional reflects on 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NKJV) where Paul prays that the Lord would cause believers to "increase and abound in love to one another and to all." The writer uses Paul's example to argue that praying for growing love should be part of a Christian's daily prayer life. The piece connects that prayer to Scripture commands to love fellow Christians, neighbors, and even enemies, and it urges reliance on the Holy Spirit and regular Bible reading as practical supports.
# What Paul prayed and why it matters
Paul did not ask the Thessalonians to stop growing. Even though Timothy had reported their love and faith, Paul prayed for more growth. The point is not that the Thessalonians were deficient but that Christian love should continue to develop. Paul also wanted to teach them more about Christ, reasoning that deeper knowledge of Christ produces deeper love.
# Love for "one another" and love for "all"
Christians to love one another. Jesus framed love among believers as the mark of discipleship: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Paul's prayer extends that love beyond the church to "all." The Old Testament command to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) and Jesus' command to love enemies (Matthew 5:44) show the biblical scope of love.
# Why prayer is necessary
# Practical steps offered
# Closing prayer (as printed in the devotional)
"Dear Lord, forgive me for not being as loving as You want me to be. Thank You for loving me, and enable me to show that kind of love to ALL people. In Your name, I pray. Amen."
# Invitation
The piece ends by pointing readers to additional Encouragement Café resources—podcasts, Bible studies, and community content—inviting them to continue growing in grace and truth with other believers.
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