Paul Prayed for Us

Scripture: I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:3-6

Observation: As Paul greets the church at Philippi, he declares he prays for them, remembering their great work in spreading the gospel as they have been doing from the very first day they learned of Jesus, and which he is sure they will keep doing until Jesus' return. He is "sure of this," for the good work the Lord has begun in them will certainly continue until the second coming.

That said, the original church at Philippi doesn't exist today. Clearly the members died millennia ago. They are no longer doing the good work, and yet ... the work is not completed, and Christ has not come again. Paul understood this, and even goes on to immediately ponder his current situation - arrested in Rome - and openly discusses whether he will be able to continue to serve the Lord on earth, or if his death will cut short his service before it is completed.

Paul, therefore, is not addressing "you" as just the few hundred people in Philippi.  "You" is ... the universal Church of Jesus Christ. He was praying for this Church as the ongoing organization that is in partnership spreading the gospel, from the first day of the resurrection until now, and Paul knew this good work would continue for as long as needed until the return of Christ.

Application: This revelation tells me that Paul prayed for us. Paul prayed for Evergreen Church. Paul prayed for believers who gather for worship at Microsoft. Paul prayed for every Christian church of every denomination in every corner of the world, which has ever existed from that day in the first century until now, and ongoing until the Lord decides the time has come for Jesus to return and reap the harvest of believers. Paul prayed for all sowers and all reapers for all time.

And ... Paul prayed for me. Paul prayed for my wife. Paul prayed for my children. He prayed especially for our good work of spreading the gospel, whether it be through Alpha, or church events, or conversations with friends, or words at work.

Prayer: Lord, may I be worthy of the prayers of Paul. May I find the strength and will and patience and conviction to do your good work, carrying on as the lineage of the church at Philippi, until the day of Christ Jesus. Amen.