MAKE YOUR REQUESTS WITH JOY
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" - Philippians 1:3-4 (KJV)
Here's the great apostle to the Gentiles, Apostle Paul. From him, we have so much to learn. It does us good most times to examine how the apostles and the disciples of old served the Lord. While they lived, they were not only "ensamples to the flock" (1Pet 5:3), but in all things, they showed themselves "a pattern of good works" (Tit 2:7). We could therefore safely follow them as they followed Christ (1Cor 4:16, 11:1; 2 Thess 3:7; 1 Pet. 5:3; Phil 3:17, 4:9; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:9).
Today, we are looking at the prayer life of Apostle Paul. Writing to the Philippian Church, he showed us how he prayed for them, "making request with joy" (Phil 1:4). In other words, he prayed for them not with complaints, doubt or fear or sorrow of heart; but with joy he made his requests concerning them to God.
This is remarkable and worthy of emulation; especially when it's considered that Paul wrote this epistle from the Roman jail. It's been noted that the book of Philippians is a book of joy because the Apostle used the words "joy", "rejoice" and "rejoicing" about seventeen (17) times. This is notwithstanding its comparative length of just four (4) chapters.
Apostle Paul suffered many things for the Lord as the Lord Himself foretold (Acts 9:15-16). Hear him:
" ... I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (2 Tim 2:9,10). He was a man that had a passion for God and for the Gospel.
In spite of being in jail, where did the Apostle draw his joyful inspiration from? You will agree with me that normally, a man under those circumstances will be fraught with constant fear, disenchantment, discouragement and disillusionment. Not so with Apostle Paul. What was his secret?
Firstly, we learn that in the face of the numerous trials that came his way, his trust in the Lord was resolute and undaunted.
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12). In and through the trials of life, it's imperative that every child of God should exhibit a very high degree of trust and faith in the Lord. This includes the conviction that God cannot fail us. This is not negotiable! Such convictions follow from the unequivocal knowledge that all things, no matter what, works together for our good (Rom 8:28).
Secondly, this servant of God understood that whatever his adversaries did to him, it was for the furtherance of the Gospel (Phil 1:12-18) and to this end, there wasn't the need to fear, especially as he was aware that he was straitly on course, living his life to the pleasure of God. The knowledge of this fact gave him joy!
"And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" (Phil 1:28,29). He knew that it was appointed for him to suffer for Christ (1 Thess 3:3).
The culmination of his conviction as regards his assignment in life was expressed in the same epistle to the Philippians in these words:
"Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me." (Phil 2:17,18). In other words, it was to his joy even if he died serving God. What a life!
There are very many people today who do not have a clue as to why they are here on earth! Don't live through this planet without finding out your God ordained assignment. The Bible says that it's only in Christ Jesus that all things find their proper place (Col 1:17, GN). Being in Christ gives you the clue! There is the "joy unspeakable" that's attendant to one knowing that he's on the right course in life (1 Pet 1:8).
These accounts for why He prayer life wasn't full of complaint, doubt or fear or sorrow of heart; but was at all times, "making request with joy" unto God (Phil 1:4).
PRAYER:
Dearest Heavenly Father, I'm confident that You're with me always and that my life is under Your guidance, being the Bishop of my soul. With joy unspeakable therefore, I make my requests unto You, in Jesus name.