Part Two

Praying and Encouraging One Another

“So, encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

When my oldest son, Sjon-Paul, was about two and a half years old, I recorded in my journal what may have been his first independent prayer.  

“Dear God, thank you for Mommy, for Daddy, for Brandon, and for Sjon-Paul.”

Listening to that prayer was one of the most precious moments of my life. 

Not long after that, we were driving in the car, and I noticed the vulgar bumper stickers on the vehicle in front of us. I remember thinking how glad I was that my children couldn’t yet read. I felt a real burden for the man driving the car.  So, I said to Sjon-Paul, “Let’s pray for that man.” Then, I commenced to pray out loud.  After a few minutes, Sjon-Paul pointed to another vehicle and asked that we pray for the driver. So, again, I did. Then, he saw a man walking on the sidewalk and said, “Let’s pray for him.”

Getting weary of the “game,” I told Sjon-Paul to go ahead and pray. He said, “Thank you God for that man.” My heart melted. Little did that stranger know what a sweet, innocent, prayer of thanksgiving was being offered to the Lord on his behalf that day.  I wonder if one day in Heaven we will get the privilege of hearing how Christ answered.

Philippians Chapter 1 offers an adult version of that kind of prayer. Paul spends the first part of the chapter laying out a prayer of thanksgiving and supplication on behalf of the Philippian church, the first church established on the European continent. Paul’s prayer and further words of encouragement come at a time when he himself was in a Roman prison.

This chapter provides a great example of how, regardless of our own circumstances, we should take our roles in the lives of other believers very seriously, praying for them, and helping encourage and motivate them towards a deeper, more intimate walk with Christ.  In a world where we are conditioned to think of “me first,” Paul, like Christ, prompts us to think of others more than we think of ourselves.

This chapter also reminds us to be thankful for the countless known and unknown prayers and acts of encouragement that are lifted up on our behalf by other believers. Like the man walking down the sidewalk that day so many years, we are sometimes oblivious to who is praying for us, but we still reap the benefits.  

Circa 2016

Dear Lord,

As I think of… I give thanks for them. I thank You that they are partners in spreading the Good News about Christ, and I’m certain that You who have begun a good work in them will continue Your work until it is finally finished on the day Jesus Christ returns. I thank You for the special place (they) hold in my heart and that they share with me in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. I love them, Lord, and I pray that their love will overflow more and more and that they will continue to grow in their knowledge and understanding. Help them to understand what truly matters so that they may live pure and blameless live until the day of Christ’s return. Help them, Lord, to always be filled with the fruit of their salvation. Help them, Lord, to have the righteous character produced by Jesus Christ in their lives. Help them, Lord, to bring much praise and glory to You, God.

In Your Name,

Amen

Devotional Challenge: In the coming week, read Philippians Chapter 2 every day.