{RE:} Every Time I Remember You
Thursday: Every Time I Remember You
Read: Philippians 1: 1-11
"To all God's holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and the deacons:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
Reflect:
Paul is writing a love letter to the church in Philippi. It is a letter filled with gratitude and joy that is found in community (even in the imperfect ones). The community he writes to encourages one another and their love produces perseverance and helps them to become deeper disciples. Paul is writing this letter from prison, but remembering this beautiful community brings him confidence and hope.
Paul considers the church his "partners" - some translations say "fellowship" but I think that often makes us think of coffee hours after service. Being partners in the gospel is much more than just friendship or sharing a meal. Partners in the gospel encourage one another as they accomplish the work God has given them to do.
- Remember those who have been partners in the gospel with you and give thanks for them this morning.
The way we read this passage sounds like "I remember you in prayer" - we often tell people that we are praying for them. However, there are probably times when that is more of a trite answer than on honest statement.
Paul is telling the church two things:
- 1 - That when he thinks of them, he is brought to a place of gratitude in prayer. Who are people in your life that you bring you gratitude every time you think of them?
- 2 - That he remembers to pray for them. Who do you need to remember in prayer this morning? If there is someone in your life who needs God's healing, encouragement, etc can you commit to praying for them regularly? Maybe write their name on a post it and put it on your computer or mirror to help you remember them in prayer!
Paul isn't just praying "God bless the church in Philippi," though! What follows is the prayer he has for the church he loves. He states with confidence that there is still work left to be done in them. His specific prayer for them is that they would grow in love, wisdom, knowledge, and righteousness. In other words, his prayer is that they would become mature disciples of Christ - a people transformed.
- What is your specific prayer for the community of faith that surrounds you?
- Be encouraged this morning that, while you are praying for others, they are also praying for you! Be encouraged that Paul's words written 2,000 years ago can be spoken to you. That the work God has begun in you will be completed - he is not finished with you. Let's keep growing together!
Respond:
A prayer of St. Patrick - 5th Century
I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today
Against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through the mighty strength
Of the Lord of creation.
(HERE is a really great song based on this prayer for your St. Patrick's Day!)
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{Re:} "Even now, Return"{RE:} "Return from your evil deeds"{RE:} "Has no one else returned?"{RE:} Return to Dust{RE:} "How Do We Return?"{RE:} There's One Thing I Remember{RE:} Remember the Wonderful Works{RE:} Remember for Generations{RE:} Every Time I Remember You{RE:} Always Ready to Remind{RE:} Renewed Minds{RE:} Renewed Hearts{RE:} Renewed Strength{RE:} Renewed Fire{RE:} Renewed Daily{RE:} Repent and Believe!{RE:} Repent and Recreate{RE:} Repent and Run!{RE:} Repent and Bear Fruit{RE:} Repent & Be Refreshed!
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6 Comments
I confess that as much as I pray for those in need, like Colleen Davis, this passage opened my eyes to the need for praying for our church and the church at large. Well I have prayed for specific needs, like when we had those huge power, But not in the sense that Paul praise for the church a. Lord, I pray that you would increase my sensitivity to the needs of your church. And give me the knowledge of the needs that exist.
Partnership in the gospel reminds me of working to bring the Kingdom, because a partner is more than just a fellow (and people generally understand partner, where fellowship sounds like Christianese).
I guess in my case, AJ has served in this capacity, even as we're partners in life. There's accountability in our relationship as well as warm fuzzies, and we're probably the only ones who see each other as we try to reach out to our neighbors. I'm so grateful for someone who knows me, is not afraid to call me out if that's needed, but also has a similar vision for reaching others.
Also, I had forgotten that song & really love it... Thank you for sharing it this morning.
I love the Book of Philippians. It is hard to believe that Paul is writing from a prison cell. Just remembering them brings him joy and encouragement. I love the prayer of St Patrick as well. Remembering his evangelization of Jreland after his enslavement is a powerful story. I find myself remembering Jim Mosher and Tim Flynn. After Terrie's death, I was way over my head. These 2 men were incredible blessings to me. My beautiful family rallied around me and we made it through a very difficult season-our family and Church were held close in prayer by many. Not feeling too well this morning. Appreciative of this morning reflection.
Remembering to pray specific prayers can be a challenge. When I know prayer is needed, I prefer to pray with the person right then and there or I may not remember. I have a list of people in my Bible as a reminder to pray. Though I must confess there are days when I don't pray. Then there are days I pray as ppl come to mind throughout the day. Sadly, I don't remember to pray daily for our church community. Though I do think about those who don't know the Lord personally. Father help me remember to pray more diligently daily, not only for those with specific needs, but for our church community and those that need You in their lives. Pastor Nick and Bert, and Pastor Kaitlyn, I'm praying for healing for you guys. May these symptoms be minor with no lasting side effects.
I must take this opportunity to give a plug for the book A Praying Life by Paul Miller. It has been the most transformative book on prayer in my life, and very readable, as he takes you on the journey in his own life, so it doesn't just feel like "a book on prayer." It has helped me to shift my prayers (particularly for family members) from just describing immediate needs to God--the things we so often pray for: illness, jobs, challenging situations, etc.--to praying for the kinds of things Paul describes here--their growth in Christ-likeness: love, knowledge, depth of insight, etc. I have learned to tailor my prayers, with God's help, to the thing I think that individual most needs help in at the time, and eagerly watch over the course of a year or two to see how God might develop that in them. It is quite surprising sometimes to see how God answers that prayer over time. It bonds me more to God himself in the process, as well as helps me to pray and be involved in the long-term development of those I love. Not that I neglect particular situations--those are important too!
Janet, I just bought the book! I am not exactly sure when I will get to it, but it is next on my list.