In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…
Summary: Paul’s joy is an indicator of a special relationship with the Philippian church.
This verse alone tells us a lot about Paul’s relationship with the Philippians. His prayer for them is filled with joy.
Paul’s other letters all convey his love for his brothers and sisters in Christ, but his relationship is different with each one.
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome was not written to people Paul knew personally, unlike the people in Philippi. The same is true for his letter to the Colossians. The other letters are written to people he knows, but the circumstances vary.
For example, Paul’s letters to the Corinthians must have been difficult for him to write. This was one of his church plants that was struggling with all kinds of problems. Paul’s letter to the Galatians is similar. Paul felt like this church was abandoning the true gospel, and so this would have been another painful letter to write.
Paul had a longstanding relationship with the Ephesians, and by all accounts, it was a warm one. Yet, even here, his introduction is somewhat abrupt. He seems to delve straight into this topic. His letters to the Thessalonians are also warm, yet seem to fall short of the enthusiasm shown in our passage above.
The rest of Paul’s letters are personal. Two to Timothy, one to Titus, and another one to Philemon. Of these, the letters to Timothy are the most personal. The close relationship between Paul and Timothy is obvious from the tone of his words.
This brings us back to Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. His enthusiasm for his relationship with this church stands out to me as being unique.
Sometimes, God places certain people in our hearts for a reason. Perhaps they need our help for a season. Maybe they need encouragement, or they need to encourage us. Some relationships are businesslike while others share a mysterious bond that can only be explained as a “spiritual” connection.
As we explore Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we will see more evidence of the affection they had for Paul. Throughout his mission work, Paul was cared for and supported by the Philippians. Now, confined to a life in chains, Paul serves these people he cares for so deeply by writing to them.
Application: Treasure the gift of friendships in the Lord.
Food for Thought: What are some reasons we pray for people?
Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.
I think the simplest answer to this question is that we pray for an increased presence of God and awareness of God in the lives of others. We can pray for intervention, strength, discernment, healing, and encouragement. We can share in prayerful thanksgiving and praise. We can really pray for just about anything and everything that increases their faith in God and dependence on Him, and in doing so, we give our faith to Him and see it increase as we see Him working in their lives and ours.
James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate the challenge James throws down:
“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Striving for righteousness before God is important for powerful prayer.
Great devotion. And excellent synopsis and response by CH. Great stuff CH.
Thanks, Rich! 🙂
What are some reasons we pray for people?
Sorry to keep it short but love and salvation are my quick and short answers.
Thank you Jeff this is a good one to meditate on.
Thanks Tim!
Love and salvation are two good answers! 🙂
Thank You CH!!
What are some reasons we pray for people?
1.) The most basic definition of prayer is talking to God. Prayer is the primary way for the believer in Jesus Christ to communicate our emotions and desires, and to simply enjoy fellowship with God.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:20, Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2.) We exist within God who desires a relationship with all His creation.
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and lock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
3.) God is reaching out to all people, calling Him to join Him in eternal fellowship.
1 Peter 1:22, Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
John 16:8, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:
4.) Our greatest prayer is for those placed within our sphere of influence to come to know Jesus as we do.
Matthew 28:19, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Luke 19:10, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Thank you, Ron!
I love the “Greatest Prayer!”
God has a way of bringing people to us and sometimes we can help directly. Other times, all we can do is pray. Paul was in that situation. All he could do was to pray. … and write letters! 🙂