We all have been blessed by God of someone in our past whom we had an sincere and cherished friendship with that we will never forget. It is possible that we have lost contact with that person or that it has been many years since we were blessed to actually be with that person. When we remember that person there are many things we can easily point out that we appreciate about them. For some of us, we will forever remember how we were impacted and changed by the way God used them in a critical time in our lives.
The apostle Paul stated in the letters he wrote to the many congregations that God used him to birth and because of his relationship with them, how personally impacted he was because of the separation. What is important to notice that Paul states when he remembered these congregations and individuals, it was when he was praying for them.
Romans 1:9-10, “9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times”
Philemon 4, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers”‘
One in instance in particular was the church at city of Philippi. “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3. We can learn many things from Paul being transparent and exposing his heart to this church in his letter.
I have heard of many instances concerning Christians that the Holy Spirit brings someone to mind who they had a relationship with in the past, but not to reminisce about them but to pray for them. This was similar to what God did with Paul, God brought many things to Paul’s memory concerning the Philippian congregation when was praying for them. It is nice to reminisce about someone but it is always better to pray for them.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16
How Paul remembers the congregation at Philippi can be applied when we are praying for someone that the Holy Spirit reminds us of.
Philippians 1:3-11
3 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, 6 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.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for 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.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.
In verse four Paul says he prays for them “with joy”. Joy is an emotion that reflects memories of happiness, pleasure, gratitude. What good things do we remember about the person we are praying for? How did God use them to impact our lives and how grateful are we for them being sensitive to the Holy Spirit to speak to us?
In verse five Paul mentions the Philippians “partnership in the gospel” which was their involvement with Paul in ministry directly when he was ministering in other cities after he had left them.
- Epaphroditus – Philippians 2:25, But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs.
- Philippians 4:2-3, 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
- Philippians 4:10, I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
- Philippians 4:14-16
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
- Philippians 4:18-19
18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
Why is this important? The previous verses show us we can continue to be used by God to touch people’s lives. We do not need to be present.
Because of social media, nationwide unlimited calling, and email it is very easy to remain in contact with those who the Holy Spirit puts on our hearts to pray for and to continue to be used by God to influence in accordance to His will. The Philippian congregation had to send Epaphroditus to fulfill God’s will of how they were to minister to Paul. How does God want to use us to minister to someone who may be from our past?
“6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. … 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.” Romans 12:6, 8
Pastor John
