"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." Phil.1:3-5
Paul's heart is overflowing with Thanksgiving when he remembers the Phillppian Believers ... His Thanksgiving led to Joyful Prayer on their behalf.
This is a good word to us --- Whenever you pray for someone, begin by thanking God for them. Thank God for the role they've played in your life, for all they have done for you, or for the good things they have done for others. Even if you are having conflict with this person, thank God that he or she is giving you the opportunity to grow spiritually, learn forgiveness, be more patient, and so forth and so on ... Truth is, if we try, we can find something to be thankful for in just about anyone.
When Abraham Lincoln was asked how he dealt with his enemies, he replied, "If at all possible, I turn them into my friends." What a Great Thought ...
George Buttrick once advised praying for your enemies this way, "Lord, bless this person whom I foolishly regard as an enemy. Keep him in thy favor. Banish my resentment!"
Another thing Paul mentions in this prayer of Thanksgiving was their "partnership in the gospel." The Greek word for "partnership" is koinonia - sometimes translated "fellowship" --- Be Thankful for the people who love us, understand us and fellowship with us in all kinds of situations ... Especially those who thought enough of us to Love us to Jesus ...
I am Eternally Grateful for the "fellowship" known as Riverstone Community Church
In This Very Special Season ... Practice Thanksgiving ... I think you will be amazed at how liberating Thanksgiving really is ...