Paul frequently told members of the body of Christ (i.e., his fellow Christians or “church friends”) that he thanked God for them. To three congregations of brethren and two friends in particular, he said, “I thank my God” for you in my prayers (Rom. 1:8; 1 Cor. 1:4; Phil. 1:3; 2 Tim. 1:3; Phile. 4). To three 
other congregations of brethren, he said, “We give thanks to God always for you” (1 Thess. 1:2; 3:9; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:16; Col. 1:3). Do you think he really did? I mean, do you think that he really said to God in his prayers, “Thank you for him/her/them” by name?
What would happen to the church today if we did two things: (1) If we told each other (i.e., our fellow Christians or “church friends”) that we thanked God for them, and then (2) If we actually did spend time in our prayers thanking God specifically for each other by name?
At least three things would surely result: (1) It would draw us closer to God; (2) It would draw us closer to each other; (3) It would bring God’s blessings upon all of us! So, how about it? Do you (will you) give thanks to God for your brethren?