Praying with Joy

DEVOTION

PRAYING WITH JOY

Phil 1:3-6

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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.
NIV

How many times have I told someone, I will pray for you”, and bowed my head and began with a sad, solemn continence? Beginning and bringing my praise to God for being who he is, and thanking him for being God, then lifting the needs of my friend to the throne may be well, may be good, but it may not be the best. Paul tells his readers when he prays for them he prays with joy. How many times do I even pray with joy? The reason Paul says is because the people he is praying for are partners in the gospel. Oh to be joyful regarding another persons’ salvation. Oh to be joyful because someone who I know also knows Christ.

As well as being joyful because it is God who began this great work in them. I see the Holy Spirit convicting of sin and need of repentance, and Jesus Christ dieing on the Christ to take away those sins, and the forgiveness of the Father all the beginning of this great work. I also can be filled with joy because it is also God who will complete this work, bringing people along, walking beside them on their spiritual journey, speaking into their hearts and minds. Leading them in paths of righteousness, being a light onto their path, being a lamp for their footsteps, each step along the way until the day of Jesus Christ is revealed by God himself.

I will pray with joy.