Praying With A Glad Heart (Chantilly Sermon)

Philippians 1:1-11 NIV –
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons,
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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 and, 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 for the day of Christ,11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

If Prayer is the Secret to Joy, what is the Secret to Prayer?

1) Cultivate Prayer Life Early

Philippians 1:3 – “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Philippians 1:4 – “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”

James 5:13 – “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy?
Let them sing songs of praise.”

Psalm 46:1-2 –
“God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…”

2) Express Thankfulness Daily

Three Results from Gratitude Through Prayer
– Joy Fills Your Spirit

Philippians 1:4 – “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”

– Hope in People

Philippians 1:6 – “…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.”

– Develop Deeper Relationships

Philippians 1:7-8 – “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

3) Remember Prayer’s Goal – God’s Glory, Not Ours

Psalms 55:22 – 
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken.”

Two Takeaways
1) Learn to Release to God
2) Learn to Release to God EVERY DAY

Matthew 11:28-29 – 
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”