By Lisa Wilmore
Scriptures: I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy. For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5).
As we journey through stressful, traumatic times in our lives, we must remember that there are believers who are on the “battlefield” for the Lord and need prayer to continue the works that He has place before them. There are Christians who have set out to do the will of the Father and have continued with perseverance and persistence. Undoubtedly, the “road gets rough and the going gets tough”, but they have committed to the cause of Jesus Christ-sharing with others, both far and near, the God News of our Savior.
In our aforementioned Scriptures, Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian believers which revealed his beautiful relationship with them. He had established the church in Philippi years prior, and now sits in prison and writes to his fellow believers informing them that he always prays for them “making his request with joy”. Paul’s time of prayer was not one that was burdensome or inconvenient. Rather, to pray for the Philippian believers brought joy to his heart. Even though he was in prison during the time of penning this letter, he found joy in remembering them in his prayer. Do you find joy in remembering other believers in your heart? Are you ready with all sincerity to pray for those persons who co-labor in the gospel?
In addition to Paul having shared that he thanked God “upon every remembrance of them” and his overwhelming joy to pray for the Philippian believers, he gave his reason why. He wrote,.. “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (v.5). Yes, Paul is joyful for the fellowship they shared in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Notice, he did not see them as rivalries or people who were in competition with him. Instead, he saw them as his companion; his friends; his brothers and sisters in Christ. How do you see other believers? Do you feel in your heart to compete with them? Or do you feel in your heart to pray for them in joy?
Particularly, God informed us through Paul’s letter to pray for believers as they journey through the awesome task of sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Remember, “Always remember fellow believers in prayer.”
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