I thank God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:3-5
Paul first visited Philippi in Acts 16:14-34, and quickly after his visit, a church was formed because of miraculously changed lives. This church was not financially rich but was full of people who desired to follow the Lord through their investment in the gospel and loving others.
It is interesting how Paul wrote such a letter to this church while some 800 miles away in a Roman prison. And yet, Paul experienced great joy. I wonder how I would have felt in a Roman prison? Would I have sulked and lived a “woe is me” kind of life? It had been ten years since Paul worked with this church but he still felt a strong responsibility to encourage them.
Paul Prayed in Chains
Paul begins his letter by saying he thanked his God in all my remembrance of you (Philippian church). I was thinking this morning about that verse and considering how my prayers begin. Do I start praying with thankfulness, or do I start my prayers with questions and pleadings? If I’m honest, I have to say that I generally begin my prayers by asking God for things like healing, peace, and salvation for those who need it. But Paul was different. His prayers were coming deep from his soul of thankfulness. He considered it a privilege to serve the church in Philippi desired to encourage them.
Paul Prayed Consistently
Paul was consistent in his prayers. EVERY TIME he prayed for the Philippian church, it was first uttered as thankfulness. Have you ever been grateful for what someone has done? Grateful for their care for you? I remember when after my back surgery, someone came over a cut my grass. To them, it was a little thing, but to me, it was a tremendous blessing. You can be sure when I prayed for him, it was with thankfulness out of a grateful heart.
I fear too often we pray to try to change God’s mind about something we selfishly desire. So, we get into a wrestling match with God. I am convinced that Paul’s thankfulness came from a profoundly changed heart filled with gratitude. As Paul remembered the Philippian church, he was faithful.
Paul Prayed with Joy
Could you? Could you experience joy in chains? This one is a little more difficult, but helpful, nevertheless. Joy is one of the consistent themes in Philippians, and Paul prayed with joy. I’m going to have to be honest. If I were in prison, it would be difficult to find joy. The bad food, harsh living conditions, verbal abuse, and confinement described Paul’s daily experiences. But Paul found joy in his current place and state. He fought to find joy, where God placed him for that time.
I think this is where we often become discouraged. God places us somewhere, and we get discouraged for whatever reason and leave. Many of us find our joy when we are doing things we enjoy. Skiing, swimming, fishing, gardening, going to the beach, and hiking mountains. All of those are fun and exciting, but what happens when we no longer can enjoy those activities because we are in under captivity.
When Paul prayed, he prayed with joy. I believe there is something about people who pray consistently. They are full of thankfulness and joy. They rise above their circumstances and embrace thankfulness and joy.
When you pray for others, how do you pray? Do you pray for their sicknesses? Do you pray for them to change into a better person and do the things you want them to do? Is it possible that you pray for your spouse to become a better person so you can continue to live with them? Instead, you may want to pray for yourself to change. Do you pray with consistency and thankfulness for others?
This was God’s plan for Paul and those in Philippi.
As you pray today, will you pray thankfully and joyfully!