NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

DIFFICULT PRAYER (PHILIPPIANS 1:3-20)

REFLECTION

Difficult prayer is the theme for our reflection. The word difficult means a situation characterized by hardship or unfavourable conditions. Prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. Difficult prayer means communicating with God in hard or unfavourable conditions or situations. We shall reflect on the fact that praying for people is a difficult prayer, especially in times of hardship, yet it is a demonstration of fellowship, faith, and love.

Dear friend in Christ Paul wrote his epistle to the Philippians to encourage and appreciate their effort in holding on to the Gospel when he was in prison in Rome. Usually, a person in prison is inundated with depression and despair, especially, when he or she is innocent. Paul was in prison because he preached the Gospel. Paul said in Philippians 1:13, “… it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” Irrespective of the difficult situation he found himself in, Paul prayed to encourage the Philippian church greatly.

Firstly, Paul’s difficult prayer demonstrates the power of fellowship and partnership with believers beyond the prison wall. He wrote, “I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5) Indeed our fellowship or partnership in Christ can not be curtailed or broken by persecution or imprisonment. It is, for this reason, we must express our gratitude and continue to pray for one another in the fulfilment of the Great Commission that says ““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) The fulfilment of the great commission through the power of fellowship or partnership was one of the motivations for Paul’s prayer in times of confinement, persecution or difficulty. This a great encouragement to us that we must not only pray for on another when we find ourselves in comfortable situations but even in very challenging situations we must use our situation to pray and encourage other people, especially as Christian leaders. Paul was a leader who ensured that he used his precarious condition to project the name of Christ and strengthen the power of fellowship and partnership in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Secondly, Paul’s ability to pray in a difficult situation demonstrates his confidence and faith in Jesus Christ. Through His confidence and faith in Christ Paul encouraged the Philippian church when he wrote, “…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. (Philippians 1:6) Sometimes we are depressed and discouraged and lose hope when we encounter difficulty or hardships in our lives. Sometimes our faith dwindles as a result of harsh or painful experiences in life. Like the disciples, we fail to pray and ask the question, Lord, “… don’t you care if we drown? (Mark 4:38) Sometimes we become restless with tears of hopelessness. Our pillows are filled with tears and we go through the night without praying but focusing on the storms of our lives. Paul was in prison yet he had confidence and faith in God therefore he was able to further write in Philippians 1:18-20 that “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:18-20) Beloved in the Lord, have faith that whatever challenge or difficulty you are going through now in your business, workplace, family and life in general will turn out for your deliverance. As a demonstration of His faith David prayed “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23:4-6)

Last but not least, Paul prayed in a difficult situation because he was motivated by love. Beloved in the Lord, it takes the unconditional love of Christ to pray for others when find yourself in a difficult situation. Indeed, to the world, it makes no sense to think of others when you are not in a comfortable situation, yet Paul wrote demonstrating his love and affection for other believers who were beyond the prison walls. He wrote “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 and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:7-8) What it means is that we need not show love only when we experience happiness, comfort and a stress-free life. We must brighten the corner where we are by being instruments of love. We may be called upon to support others financially when we are financially constrained, we may have to donate blood to others at a time when we need help from others, and we may have to give when we need to be given. That is the true essence of the Christian life and Paul was obeying Jesus’ command to His disciples when He said “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. (John 15:12-14). Jesus and Stephen’s prayers were some of the examples of difficult prayers we read in the Bible that preceded Paul’s prayer of love in difficult times. When Jesus was tortured and crucified, He prayed for His enemies saying ” “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Again, when we come to Stephen, “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60) Sometimes we may not have enough to give financially but we can give our time to people by visiting them and praying with them although we may be going through hard times ourselves. Dear friend experiencing challenges or difficulties must not be an excuse when it comes to caring and praying for other people.

In summary, we have discovered that praying for people is a difficult prayer, especially in times of hardship yet it is a demonstration of fellowship, faith and love. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to pray for other people especially when we find ourselves in precarious or challenging situations, and may our bond of fellowship, faith and love be strengthened irrespective of the difficulties we experience in our lives through the enablement of the Holy Spirit. Amen