Joy in Prayer

As we continue to work our way through Paul’s introduction to the book of Philippians, we notice in Philippians 1:4 that he gave thanks “always in every prayer of mine.” His prayers weren’t just filled with asking, his prayers were filled with thanksgiving.

It would probably be a good place to ask: Are you the kind of Christian who would bring joy to your pastor when he remembers you? My wife and I can look back on scores of people in our past congregations whose memory brings us great joy. When your previous pastors remember you, is it with thanksgiving? Will you be the kind of people that in our old age rocking on some porch, we will reminisce about with great joy?

But remember, his remembrance of them led him to pray for them. Philippians 1:4 says, “Always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” Ah, the first mention of the word joy in the epistle, and it is in connection to prayer.

Praying for others is a joy: He began to pray for these people, and it brought joy. Our prayer time should be a joyous experience. We get to fellowship and talk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What could be better? What could be more fulfilling than to minister on behalf of others through intercessory prayer? Our prayer meetings should be the most anticipated event of the week for us. Shouldn’t prayer bring us joy? Does it for you?

Remember where Paul is at. Paul is in prison, right? And later, we’ll find he is being bad mouthed by other church leaders who are all too eager to stick a knife in his back. In that same situation, most people would be thinking about themselves: “Oh, woe is me! How did I get into this mess? Why did God abandon me here?”

Most of us would be having a pity party about then. But not Paul - Paul is in prayer, and it brings him joy. Praying for others takes our mind off our own troubles, and it focuses us on the troubles of others. We become more concerned for their well-being, for their needs, for their welfare, than for our own. And our own troubles seem less and less important as we join together with God on behalf of those we love. Prayer brings joy.

As John MacArthur writes:

“[Paul] was not thinking so much about his own circumstances as about their faithfulness, not so much about his own afflictions as about their love, not so much about his own physical suffering as about their spiritual steadfastness.”

That change in perspective is necessary for joy to reign in us. Are you increasingly becoming more others focused? Here in prison, Paul could still have joy thru prayer. Is there a lesson here for you? Prayer should be one of the joys in your life. It shouldn’t be drudgery. It shouldn’t be an ordeal to pray for one another. Prayer should be a joy.