Paul's Prayer of Joy

1. Why Paul's Prayers are Joyful

Because of the people whom he is praying for.
a) their partnership in the gospel, v5
b) they have received the salvation that endures, v6

Would Paul be joyful about you?
a) has God begun a work in you – are you saved?
b) do you labour for the Kingdom's sake – by praying, labouring, giving.

Paul is right to be joyful when he thinks of them (v7-8)

Do other believers bring you joy?

Do you bring joy to other believers?

2. What's in a Joyful Prayer

That love might abound in them

Qualification: the love is to be characterized by knowledge and depth of insight

Result of an individual having “wise love”

a) they may be able to discern what is best

b) that they may be pure and blameless

Result of the prayer: that God might be glorified

What are our prayers like?

Are we showing the spiritual character that Paul wanted to see in the Philippians