Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.’ 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Mother Theresa, perhaps one of the greatest modern examples of selfless love, said ‘I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.’

A theme within many of Paul’s letters is that of unity within the fellowship of believers. Time and again, he encourages the followers of Christ’s teaching to work in harmony together; to set aside differences of gender, race and social status so that they become an example of the unifying love of Christ. Here we see Paul exhorting the believers in Thessalonica to be unified in fellowship during a time of persecution and terror for their lives; this time through love.

There are four types of love in this short passage: Firstly, the corporate love that the Thessalonians feel for themselves as a fellowship of believers, to support one another during this time of great trial and grief. Secondly, the love that Paul and Timothy, the ‘we’ in the passage, send as they pray for the Thessalonians. Thirdly, and perhaps most difficult of all, the love that the believers must feel for everyone, yes, even those who persecute them. Fourthly, the love that God sends through His Holy Spirit to the believers, a love Paul prays will increase and abound. The word abound means to increase to overflowing, an extravagant love that never stops. God’s generous and unending love gives strength to the believers to support one another, and to face their persecutors.

These four types of love are just as relevant to us today as they were in Paul’s time. God’s love abounds in us and we are called to share that love with others. We may not be experiencing persecution ourselves but, like Paul and Timothy, we pray in love for our fellow persecuted Christians in countries like Sudan. Many in our congregations will be feeling grief, despair and possibly fear in their lives, and we are called to love and support them in Christian fellowship. Those outside the church may sneer at our faith, or show disinterest and apathy. We are called to love and pray for them regardless. So, let us share that prayer of Paul today.

Let us pray: Lord, let Your love increase and abound in me, that I may be the pencil that shares Your love letter with others. Amen.

Jen Read, Senior Church Buildings Officer and Licensed Lay Minister.