“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, 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 1:4-6)

When Jesus was born into this world, His birth was surrounded by joy. When the angel announced to Zechariah about the birth of his son, who would be John the Baptist, he said, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. (Luke 1:14-15) Later, when Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, joy came to John. Elizabeth said, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (Luke 1:44) This would fill Mary with joy. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.” (Luke 1:46-49)

The joy spread when Elizabeth gave birth to John. “When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” When Mary gave birth to Jesus, Angels announced the birth with joy to the shepherds. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) God bringing a Savior to the world is reason for joy. The message of the Good News of salvation is sounded through the ages with joy.

Paul would acknowledge that joy as he writes to the church at Philippi. That joy was also connected to the content of his prayers. He tells the church, “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, 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 1:3-6) Joy and prayer are united because we as sinners have been given a new life through Jesus Christ and when we pray, we should be filled with joy because we have now become God’s dwelling place. We are His Temple. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

In answer to Paul’s question, we must know that as we come to Christ, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17) As God’s Temple, we are also a house of prayer. We are a house of prayer that is to be full of joy. Isaiah would acknowledge all of the people of the world who had come to God and their connection to His Temple; “these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. . ..for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, God gives us joy. This was Paul’s prayer for all who come to Christ. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) As believers, when we pray, we can pray with joy. We can pray with joy because we now know God through Jesus Christ. We can pray with joy because we have hope to offer to those who don’t know Christ. We can pray with joy as we see new believers in Christ. And we can pray with joy because we have a home waiting for us prepared by Jesus. Who said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2b) With these and many more reasons, let us learn to pray with joy.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block