"God answers my prayers everywhere except on the golf-course."
Prayers of thankfulness
I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3Are there people in your life you can say that about – you thank God every time you remember them?
Paul calls the Philippian Christians “God’s holy people”. In a sinful, often godless, world it is an encouragement to know that God has called his people to be there. If you are not the only Christian in your team, club or training group, I am sure you are thankful for those who share your faith in Jesus.
Paul mentions two reasons why he is thankful for the Philippian Christians:
because of their partnership in the gospel (v 5);
because of the evidence of God’s work in their lives (v 6).
“Partnership in the gospel” just means having a common faith in Christ and trying to live it out together. It is not always easy to live with integrity, honesty and with respect for people in a tough competitive environment. It is great to have a Christian friend to walk with us.
It is one of the great promises of the Bible that “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. I was very struck by an athlete I watched a lot last season. After every race, the athlete seemed to say something like “It was good but I need to be better. There are things I am still not satisfied with, things I am working on.” What a great attitude to sport – and to life in Christ.
Think about someone you thank God for, every time you remember them.