We are usually motivated to pray for people because of negative things—someone is in the hospital, a marriage is coming apart, someone has lost a job, or a child has gone astray. And it is certainly right and appropriate for us to pray for people who have needs. As the psalmist says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1 NLT). God calls on us to cast all our burdens on Him because He cares for us.But Paul, in writing to the Ephesians, was motivated to pray for them and give thanks for them because of their strong faith and their love for God’s people everywhere. We need more prayers of thanksgiving. We need to praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy and for all He has done for us. We need to spur one another on to love and to do good works. We need to encourage one another increasingly at a time when there is so much bad news and so many reasons to complain.