“Always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all with joy”

“always in every prayer of mine”

The word means on all occasions. It did not make any difference what the occasion was. Whatever it was, wherever it was, made no difference to Paul. He was independent of his circumstances.

“making request”

The Greek indicates that Paul regularly gave prayer for the Philippians. Paul was in the habit of praying for them.

“for you”

The word “for” means on behalf of. Paul interceded for the Philippians. The prayer life of the apostle Paul was an incredible witness to his character. His prayers are constantly set forth in his epistles (Ro 1:9; Eph 1:16; Co 1:3,9; 1 Th 1:1; 2 Th 1:11; Philemon 4).

“with joy” 

“Joy” is emphatic by position in the Greek sentence. For him to pray for the Philippians was a joy. Paul entered a spiritual rhapsody when he entered prayer for the Philippians. It was no mechanical duty whereby he labored to find words or thoughts as he forced prayer for them.

This joy was not mere excitement; it was not a commonplace pedantic necessity of life. However, this joy was a serenity of spirit in the face of adverse circumstances and was confident God was able to manage the problems. While sitting in jail, Paul could do little for the Philippians. Yet he enjoyed a serenity of spirit that based its reliance upon God. Paul was the most content man in Rome—even though in the Roman jail! His joy was irrepressible.

The word “with” in “with joy” means accompanying. Joy had the company of prayer! Have you found joy in prayer?

PRINCIPLE:

We should have an attitude of expectation of God’s intervention with accompanying joy.

APPLICATION:

There is joy in prayer; therefore, there should be no reluctance or misgivings when we pray. Have you evaluated your attitudes in prayer? Is it a duty or a task? Is your attitude “accompanied by joy?”