“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,” Philippians 1:3-4 ESV
Reflection: how can we be a source of joy in the thoughts and prayers of others?
Think for a moment of a time or event when you experienced “joy”. What emotion comes to your mind? The dictionary definitions generally use other words to describe this emotion, such as “great pleasure or delight”. We probably all have different experiences we can relate such a true, deep and inner joy to. Spending time in nature is perhaps a universally recognized source of joy for most people. Watching a beautiful sunrise, taking a walk along the ocean, or climbing to the top of a mountain dressed in fall colors, it is hard to explain the deep joy and connection we feel with nature. For many, joy is felt when spending time with children or grandchildren, watching them play, talking with them or just being with them. And joy might also come from some great achievement, either individually or as a team. The bond and relationship formed between team members that have achieved something extraordinarily difficult together can be the source of great joy. Such achievements are often the inspiration of great books and movies.
In the opening statement to the church in Philippi, Paul makes an interesting statement to this group of believers, that they always bring him joy when he remembers them, thinks of them, prays for them. Paul must have had a very special experience with these “Gentiles”, these early Christians, thinking of them with such joy. And we learn why, as Paul continues, “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5 ESV. Their “partnership in the gospel” has had a profound impact on Paul. They must have shown such commitment, doing the hard work, even taking personal risk in order to promote the gospel of Christ to the people of Philippi. They also collected money in order to support Paul when he was imprisoned in Rome.
And as Paul is thinking about them, praying for them with joy in his heart, he pens this much quoted verse “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV. Paul has seen that their faith was genuine, by their observable fruit. Their action, speaking louder than words. So he continues “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:7-11 NIV
Which leads me to consider: Would Paul have the same joy in his heart over my partnership with him in the gospel, if he knew me? Or anyone else in our church, for that matter? Would he be praying with joy over us, as he did these early Christians in Philippi? We sometimes forget that these early Christians were just ordinary people, like you and I. Nothing particularly special or unusual about them. But they were deeply committed to this partnership in the gospel, risking everything to promote Christ. Working tirelessly to help fellow believers who were battling, even imprisoned, for their beliefs.
So, let’s ask ourselves today: What emotion do we generate in others, in general? How can I be a source of joy in the thoughts and prayers of fellow believers?