Paul says in Philippians 1:6-8:
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for 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.
Paul’s heart for the Philippians reflects the way that Jesus cares about them. He says, "Look, one of the reasons I remember you so often and pray for you so much is that I have grown to love you like Jesus does. Paul grew to love others with that kind of intimacy and intensity because he spent so much time remembering them in prayer. Whenever he thought of them he prayed. And as he prayed, God would grab a hold of Paul’s heart and fill it with his love for them. Not only does Paul love them from the depth of his own heart, but he loves them from the very core depth of Jesus Christ. All of his heart, mind and soul are given in prayer and love for them.
One of our college and career guys at Brentview called me up a couple weeks ago to let me know that he and his wife were thinking of me and they were praying for me, that they were glad I was here, and that they were ready to do whatever needed to be done in the ministry. Unbelievable! I can’t tell you how much that lifted my heart and soul. To have somebody tell you that they love you, that they are thinking of you, and that they are praying for you- that changes your life.
That was Paul’s heart. And we should pray with that kind of love.
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