Praying God's Word: Prayers of Paul (Part 2)Sample

PRAY JOYFULLY – GOD IS AT WORK

Philippians 1:3-4 – I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.

When Paul remembered what all the Philippians did for him, he was extremely thankful. He was naturally grateful to the Philippians, but more so to God who had worked such kindness through the Philippians.

The Philippians were extremely giving towards Paul, both when he was with them (Acts 16:15, 16:32-34) and when he was apart from them (2 Corinthians 8:1-7, 9:1-4, and 11:9).

Paul prayed for the Philippians and he did so with joy. This was one way Paul felt he could repay the Philippians for all they did for him.

One might simply say when Paul prayed for the Philippians, he became happy. It is remarkable to see Paul’s first reference to his own feelings or frame of mind in this letter is that of joy – though he wrote from prison and a possible soon execution.

“It is a glorious revelation of how life in fellowship with Christ triumphs over all adverse circumstances. The triumph, moreover, is not that of stoical indifference. It is rather the recognition of the fact that all apparently adverse conditions are made allies of the soul and ministers of victory, under the dominion of the Lord.” (Morgan)

“This is Paul’s great singing letter. It was at Philippi that he had sung in prison at midnight, in the company of Silas. Now he was again in prison, this time in Rome.” (Morgan)

Prompt: Pray Philippians 1:3-4. Praise God for the work you see Him doing in another person’s life. Trust Him and rejoice that He is also working in your life.

Based on the Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik.