Young Adults' Group

The Joy Of Prayer

by Pastor Mark
November 08, 2018

The example of Paul having joy

The theme of joy is something that is clearly evident in the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. He was truly a man of joy and he reflected the joy that he felt in his letter. This is so much more significant in view of the circumstances that he was in. He was in prison as he wrote this epistle. (Phil 1:7) Paul was in chains which would have brought much suffering to him. Yet, he was still able to find joy. For many of us, it is hard to find joy when we go through the difficulties of life. Let us be challenged by the example of Paul in having joy.

Divine joy

The joy that Paul had was a divine kind of joy. It was a joy that came from the Lord Himself. He is the Source of joy. This was a joy that God filled Paul’s life with consistently even through the difficulties of life. This stands in contrast to an earthly kind of joy which is the kind of joy that would not last. But the Lord as our divine Source of joy will give us a true and lasting joy. One way of finding joy was through prayer.

The joy of prayer

The practice of prayer brought special joy to the heart of Paul. Paul wrote, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,” (Phil 1:3,4) The word “joy” in Greek is “charis” which means “grace”. It is through the grace of God that we are able to have joy. How was Paul able to pray with joy?

1. Our relationship with God brings joy

Paul spoke of God as “my God”. It reflected Paul’s personal appreciation of God as One whom he could turn to in prayer. He had a personal and close relationship with God that caused him to want to take time to commune with Him in prayer. This special relationship with God in prayer brought joy to Paul.

2. The spirit of thanksgiving brings joy

The word “thank” in Greek is “eucharisteo” which is made up of “eu” and “charis”…good grace. It means to be grateful or to give thanks because of God’s good grace. The use of the present tense would indicate that the act of giving thanks is something that is to be done consistently. Paul had cultivated this spirit of thanksgiving over time. He was able to give thanks to God even while in prison. Let us be challenged to have the spirit of thanksgiving.

3. Our relationship with the brethren brings joy

The word “upon” in Greek is “epi”…a preposition which means “the basis of doing something”. There was a close relationship between Paul and the Philippian brethren. The basis of Paul’s thanksgiving to God is the relationship and understanding that he had with the brethren. Every time he remembers the brethren, he would give thanks to God for them. There comes joy in thanksgiving. It causes us to give thanks even in the midst of challenging circumstances. Joy flowed from Paul’s life.

4. The practice of intercession brings joy

The prayers of Paul were the means by which he would make requests on behalf of the brethren. He would make those prayers with joy in the heart. Joy comes in relating with God in prayer. Joy comes in interceding on behalf of the brethren. These prayers are to be made…to be specially crafted. Let us make joyful prayers on account of the brethren. Let us be challenged to find joy in the practice of our prayers.

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