“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
How’s your prayer life been lately? Chances are that the answer to that question will say a lot about what has been on your mind. Paul’s prayer life was centered on thanksgiving and on the mission. His requests were not things like, “Please help my day to go well.” Instead, he was asking God to help him and the Philippian church advance the Gospel.
Without a sense of mission, our prayer life will not be supernatural. Much of our earthly praying falls into two categories: anxious prayers and convenience prayers. Instead of connecting with a greater mission, we simply worry at God or ask him to make our lives easier. When we are connected with the mission of expanding God’s kingdom, our prayers aren’t focused on ourselves.
When I talk about “mission,” some people get stuck because they aren’t sure what their mission from God is. They wait for him to reveal it somehow and while they wait they feel disconnected. Don’t overthink things. Your mission is to bring the kingdom of God to earth. That is what unites all Christians. We accomplish that by imitating Jesus, loving God and our neighbors, and praying for others to come to know the love of God. If you have nothing else, start there. It should take your whole lifetime! When you let that mission drive your prayer life, you’ll uncover a passion and a freedom like no other.