Read: Philippians 1:3-11
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. (v. 3)
You may be familiar with the term “support system.” A support system is a group of people who help us in our daily lives. Each of us needs to have our own support system. We are strong today because there are people who support us with prayer, energy, time or material. We can also be where we are today because of the hard work of people we recognize as supporting us. This support system can be family based on blood ties, but it can also be other people without blood ties. What is certain is that no one can go through life without the presence of others to support them.
It is interesting to look at how Paul began his letter to the Philippians. Paul said that he thanked God in all his remembrance of them. Every time Paul remembered the Philippians he gave thanks to God. For Paul, the Philippians were part of his joy—they were part of his support system! He needed them, and he knew that they were participating in his struggles and joys (v. 7).
When we pray, do we remember the people God has brought into our lives, so that we continue to be sustained and strengthened by their presence? When we pray, are we thankful for the people around us? Let’s learn from Paul and remember the support system in our lives and thank God for it.
As you pray, thank God for the people who have strengthened and supported you to be where you are today.
Cordelia Gunawanis the General Chairwoman of the Working Body of the West Java Regional Assembly of Indonesian Christian Church. She is currently pursuing a doctorate at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. This devotional was previously published in Wasiat, a bi-monthly daily devotional for families, produced by Words of Hope ministry partners in Indonesia. Learn more about Words of Hope's work in Indonesia.
