A Prayer for Encouragement — sacred illustration
✶ Our Bible Moments No. 201 / 253

Encouragement

A Prayer for Encouragement

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 is a blessing that the apostle Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy, prayed over the church in Thessalonica, a church enduring persecution.

Lord Jesus Christ, and God my Father, You have loved me by grace and given me eternal comfort and good hope. Today I feel worn down and discouraged. Encourage my heart. Strengthen me for the next good word I need to say and the next good thing I need to do. Remind me that I am loved, and let Your hope lift my head again. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 is a blessing that the apostle Paul, with Silvanus and Timothy, prayed over the church in Thessalonica, a church enduring persecution.

The Scripture

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.”

— 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Prayer points from 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

  1. Thank God that He has loved you by grace
  2. Thank Him for eternal comfort and good hope
  3. Tell Him honestly what has worn you down
  4. Ask Him to encourage your heart today
  5. Ask for strength for every good word and deed in front of you
  6. Pray this blessing by name for a friend who needs encouragement

About this verse

The believers in Thessalonica were enduring “all the persecution and affliction” of following Christ, and some had been alarmed by claims that the Day of the Lord had already come. Paul does not answer them with a pep talk. He prays. He names who God is, our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, and what He has already done: loved us by grace and given us eternal comfort and good hope. Only then does he ask God to encourage their hearts and strengthen them “in every good word and deed.” Encouragement in the Bible is more than feeling better; it is being strengthened to keep going and keep doing good. Because the comfort is eternal, it does not run out on a bad day. This prayer is for anyone who feels discouraged, worn down or ready to quit, and it can be prayed for a friend who needs encouragement, too.

When to pray this prayer

More prayers for encouragement

Did this help you pray today?

Stay a little longer with Scripture

Watch the Bible word for word, or rest with a painting of Jesus, piece by piece.

Bible Movies app iconBible MoviesWhole Bible chapters as films, word for word→ Bible Jigsaw app iconBible JigsawPaintings of Jesus to piece together, each with a verse→

No app? Watch a chapter here · Play a jigsaw here

More prayers for Encouragement → The whole prayer library

✶ · Our Bible Moments