Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

What can we learn from Paul's supplication for the Philippian believers?

Philippians 1:3-6 says "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ." (NKJV). 

This text of Scripture conveys Paul's heartfelt joy and the celebration of his relationship Christian community in Philippi. This community had a special place in Paul's heart. Despite his life of incarceration and chains, Paul treasured his relationship with them. He longed for an opportunity for the communal fellowship that he had shared with them in the past. 
Paul therefore deeply cherished the Philippians and wished them God's leading and blessings. He always mentioned them in his prayers. 

Paul had travelled to Philippi in the company of Silas, Timothy, and Luke (Acts 16:9-10). Bible scholars say the church of Philippi was the first Christian community that Paul founded in Europe. This is where Lydia and her household were led to Christ (Acts 16:11-15) and where a jailor who witnessed God's power in an earthquake that shook the prison walls, yanked open the doors, and loosed the chains of the prisoners, gave his life to Christ (Acts 16:25-34). 

We learn from Paul's supplication and prayers that no matter what circumstances we go through in life, our fellowship in Christ can never be broken. Nothing, not even prison walls or chains can break our love and intimacy with God's covenant people. 

Under ordinary circumstances, Paul deserved the comforts of believers during his difficult time as a prisoner. Instead, he became a source of encouragement to God's people yet he was behind prison walls. This is where he wrote a number of Epistles to the Gentile churches. 

We also learn that God's grace reaches out to those who suffer for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul remained steadfast and unbroken, knowing that God was with him in his suffering (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:3-10). 

We also learn that prayer is a divine privilege that cannot be taken away from us even in the most trying circumstances of life. We can still reach our heavenly Father and pray for ourselves and for those that God has brought into communion with us in Christ.

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