A Model for Prayer (Part 2)

On Monday, we began to consider Paul’s prayers on behalf of the believers at Philippi. He started with a foundation of thankfulness to God and for them. Now, to that foundation he adds two more pieces: consistency and confidence.

II. Consistency (vv.4-5)
As Paul prays for them, there is a consistency factor that they need to understand in his praying. This includes several things:

The Comprehensive nature of his prayer

• Always- continually, without ceasing, Paul was praying for his dear friends. This speaks not only of his passion for them, but also to his priorities. He knew that there was nothing more valuable that he could do for them than to pray, and put his money where his mouth was.
• In every prayer- not every other prayer, or every third prayer. Paul interceded on their behalf every time he prayed! What commitment he had to prayer—and to them!
• For you all- not just for his pals, or his coffee group. He prayed for them all. Paul was an “equal opportunity pray-er.”

The Heart of his prayer

• Making request- seeking God’s best for them.
• With joy- Question- what are my attitudes toward prayer? Are they attitudes of stress, duty, constraint? Are my attitudes in prayer governed by my difficulties and my circumstances? Or is my attitude in prayer one of joy- for, regardless of the life situation involved, I am talking to the Lord I love about the people I love. If attitude is everything, attitude is everything in prayer as well (cp. James 4:1-4).

The Motives behind his prayer

• Because of your fellowship (koinonia- to be partners, to have in common; see Acts 2:42ff). Notice that he does not rejoice over them and pray for them because of their generous support. He does so because of their fellowship! What is fellowship? It is more than friendship, parties, and good times. It is the beautiful common denominator of the living Lord Jesus Christ, whose presence in our lives links us together in a most wonderful way! This great blessing was what truly motivated Paul in his continual prayer for the Philippians!
• In the Gospel- There is a doctrinal basis for our fellowship, and that basis is the Gospel! What is the Gospel? It is a historical reality (1 Cor.15), the  message of salvation (Mark 16:15), and the call to faith (Acts 20:21). This is the basis for ministry, for cooperation and for fellowship—and nothing can take its place. Apart from true agreement in the Gospel there can be no true fellowship.
• From the first day until now- see the tenderness of Paul as he looks back. He reminisces from his prison about that first day (Acts 16- Lydia, first converts, founding of church). Imagine the blessing and encouragement that must have brought his weary heart. Has it been worth it all? At times it may not have seemed like it, but as he remembers how the church at Philippi began—he continues to be driven to thankful prayer on their behalf.

III. Confidence (v.6)
This may be my favorite Bible verse, because it offers us so much hope—not only for ourselves and our own spiritual growth, but also for the spiritual growth of thse we love and serve. See how this confidence maps out in v.6:

• Since I am confident of this very thing—what is this confidence? We need to quickly recognize the difference between “self-confidence” and “Christ-confidence.” If we traffic in self-confidence we have our warning (1 Cor.10:12!). Jesus made it clear (John 15:5), as did Paul (Phil.4:13) that our confidence must be in Him, not in ourselves! We are to take no confidence in the flesh (Phil.3:3), but rather to follow the wisdom of the proverb, “For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:26).
• He who has begun the good work in you- notice that Paul makes it clear where his confidence is. It is firmly placed in the faithfulness and ability of Christ.
• Will perform it- that is, carry it through to completion
• Until the day of Jesus Christ- a moment ago, Paul was looking backward and reminiscing. Now, he is looking forward to the hope of Christ! He is looking forward to the upward call of Christ, and the completion of the good work that Christ is performing.

Question- what is “the good work?” It is the ongoing work of sanctification in the life of a believer. It is the process by which God takes unholy people and makes them holy, and it begins with salvation and continues until glorification (1 John 3:1-3)!
On Friday, we’ll see the final two pieces of the model of Paul’s prayers for his friends.