for what we may be remembered

1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 

Dear Holy One,

as Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy wrote

with thanksgiving and joy

to the church in Thessalonica 

so long ago, 

we write in hope for ourselves: 

May we be a people 

mentioned in the prayers of others,

remembered before you

as faithful, loving, steadfast

in hope in Jesus the Christ; 

may we be siblings known

to our kin in Christ as 

beloved of Holy One, showing

in our way of being that we have chosen

to follow You, through what kind

of people we prove to be. 

May we be imitators of Christ

and the faithful saints gone before; 

courageous under attack and temptation,

inspired by the Holy Spirit,

and example to other members

of your Body – may our 

commitment to You be known 

by all, our welcome of all,

our resistance to this world's idols,

our love for Christ who rescues – 

Dear Jesus the Christ,

may we be a people

worthy of your name. 

Amen.