Young People's Group

I Thank My God upon Every Remembrance of You

by Mitchell Tan
May 23, 2018

PAUL’S EXAMPLE IN HAVING A SPIRIT OF JOY IN PRAYER

One excellent disposition that we should have in life and ministry is a spirit of joy. Instead of having a complaining spirit, a Christian should learn to rejoice in the Lord always. The apostle Paul exemplified this spirit of joy in his life and ministry. One of the ways he cultivated this was in prayer.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy”
Philippians 1:3-4

1. PRAYING WITH GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD

Paul had a close relationship with God. There was a deep sense of gratitude for the grace that the Lord had given to him and God’s people. He would take the time to give thanks to God.

2. PRAYING WITH JOY EVEN IN PRISON

There was a special sense of joy within the heart of Paul. He had a special sense of joy in his heart each time he made supplications for the Philippians. At this point of time, Paul was in prison. Despite his incarceration, he was still able to give thanks and rejoice in prayer. Let’s learn to also pray with a spirit of joy.

REASONS FOR HAVING A SPIRIT OF JOY IN PRAYER

1. REMEMBERING SPECIAL CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIPS

Paul gave thanks to God as he remembered the Philippians and the work that He had started in them.

A. SPECIAL MEMORIES

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you”
Philippians 1:3

Paul had fond memories of the Philippians. He gave thanks every time he remembered them in prayer. There was a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving for each one of them.

B. LOVING FELLOWSHIP

“For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now”
Philippians 1:5

There was this special relationship with the Philippians. Paul had cultivated a loving fellowship with the Philippians. Their basis of fellowship was the gospel of Christ. It was through Paul’s ministry that Lydia and the Philippian Jailer came to know the Lord (Acts 16). Lydia sought to open up her home to Paul and friends. The Philippian jailer prepared food for Paul and Titus. They had developed a special sense of fellowship with each other from day one. Let’s also seek to develop this loving relationship with each other. Plan to come for the YPG combined outing on 9th June. Let’s seek to have a good time of fellowship with each other.

2. BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace”
Galatians 5:22

This spirit of joy ultimately is a work of the Spirit of God. As we learn to relate to the Spirit of God and walk in Him, He will teach us how to rejoice. The Spirit of God would also lead us to pray and to give thanks to God. May the Spirit of God cause us to have a heart of thanksgiving and joy to the Lord. Let’s seek to bear the fruit of love and joy.

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