Philippians 1:3-4

I thank my God every time I remember you.

(v3, NIV)

Paul is thankful and he lets them know of his thankfulness. However, his thankfulness is towards God. He thanks God for them. When he looks back and remembers them, thinking of them, Paul is thankful to God. Of course he is thankful for them, but Paul recognizes and acknowledges God who is the creator. Those he is thankful for have put their faith in the Lord and live diligently for Him. Paul is thankful to God and likewise, shouldn't we be thankful to God? We aren't to do it in such a way that we are so much as to take away edification we bestow to others for building up and encouraging. However, it is ultimately to God that we should give all glory and honor and praise. He is good.

always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,

(v4, ESV)

Paul's prayers are made with joy. He is always doing this, which describes the consistency. He is doing it every time, which describes the frequency. He is doing this for all of them, which describes the inclusiveness. Don't you wish you could say that too- to always pray with thankfulness to God for them and to be frequently remembering them? What a joy it must feel for them to hear this from Paul. It is quite joyous to hear of it when others are praying for you. There may be more than you know who are praying for you. It is quite encouraging to hear of that.

Paul's prayers are made with joy. One of the main themes of Philippians is "joy". What is joy? One definition I heard is that joy is a "supernatural delight in the person, purposes and people of God" (James MacDonald). So first of all, joy comes from the Lord. We love God who first loved us. Not only do we love him who is awesome and great and powerful and so good, but we find joy in his ways. God's ways are sometimes mysterious and are quite amazing. It's awesome when God steps in and speaks powerfully into your life. Joy is overwhelming when God overcomes our trials and pours blessings upon us. God's ways may not always bring health and wealth, but they are always good. Even when they seem dark or when it hurts, God may be molding us and shaping us in ways we cannot imagine. There is joy knowing that even in suffering and pain, God sometimes needs to work in us a changing of attitude to get our heads out of a sewer.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

(Philippians 4:13, ESV)

In addition, there is joy knowing that God strengthens us to overcome our circumstances. Even though we may be suffering or in need, is it God who gives us the strength to abound. It is through Him that we can do all things in our low situations.