Grace and Peace,1 Thessalonians 1:1

"Paul and Silvanus and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace"

1 Thessalonians 1:1

Paul starts his letter with this greeting to the church in Thessalonica, "Grace to you and peace".

But first of all, he is writing on behalf of two others, Silvanus and Timothy.

And he is addressing the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

For Paul, it was important to note that the congregation of the Thessalonians was in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We often feel that we live this life by our own power, and wisdom. But we, Christians or the followers of Jesus, are actually spiritually in God.

It is interesting that Paul mentions grace and peace. These two were very important realities in Paul's life. He couldn't live one day without God's grace, and peace was what maintained his mental and spiritual health.

Where do these qualities come from? These, of course, come from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins.

The gospel is simple. We often make it complicated. God is reconciling us to Himself through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins.

And that is where the grace of God comes and to us and the grace of God makes us to feel peace in our hearts.

Fervent Prayer

So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Acts 12:5

• The word, earnest, in this verse in Greek is ektenos which means "fully-stretched" or i.e. "fervent."
• The church, i.e the people of God, made fervent prayer for Peter that he might be rescued and not die like James, the brother of John, who died earlier. 
• It is interesting to note that it is around the Passover time when Jesus died as well. Therefore, it had already been a few years since the disciples of Jesus had been witnessing.
• James died just as his master died around the same time of the Passover.
• Peter was spared and this is due, at least in part, to the church praying for Peter.
• It is imperative that we, as the church, should also pray for those who are being persecuted around the world that they might be spared and continue to witness until Jesus returns.