05/05/2026
ENCOURAGE JOYFUL PRAYER FOR OTHERS
( Pastor Eddie Nicandro)
Good morning everyone.
Relationships are one of the greatest blessings God gives us in life. At the same time, they can also become one of our greatest struggles.
Every person here probably has someone in mind right now—a husband, wife, child, relative, church member, coworker, or neighbor. We love them, yet sometimes they frustrate us. Sometimes we wish they would change.
A man once said to his friend, “I have been praying for my wife for twenty years.”
His friend replied, “That is wonderful! Has she changed?”
The man answered, “No, but after twenty years, God changed me!”
That is often how prayer works. We begin praying because we want God to change somebody else, but along the way, God changes our hearts too.
Many people spend more time complaining about others than praying for them. We talk about their weaknesses, become angry over their behavior, and try to fix them through our own effort. But human strength can only do so much. Only God can truly transform a heart.
The Apostle Paul understood this truth very well. Paul wrote the book of Philippians while he was in prison. He was not living in comfort or enjoying freedom. Yet his heart was filled with joy. Instead of criticizing people, he prayed for them lovingly and faithfully.
Philippians 1:3–11 says,
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart… For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
What a beautiful prayer. Paul teaches us that if we truly love people, we will pray for them. Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to others.
Here are the three important truths about praying for others with joy.
First, we learn that we must pray for others with a heart full of love and joy.
Paul says in verses 3 and 4,
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.”
Notice that Paul prayed with joy. He did not pray only because it was his duty. He prayed because he genuinely loved the people.
Some people pray with irritation. They say, “Lord, please fix this person because they are making my life difficult.” But Paul prayed with thanksgiving and joy because love changes the way we pray.
A mother may become tired while caring for her child, but she still prays because she deeply loves that child.
A husband who truly loves his wife will pray for her needs. A healthy church family will pray faithfully for one another.
Prayer softens the heart. When we stop praying for people, bitterness can easily grow inside us. But when we pray for them daily, God fills our hearts with compassion and grace.
Jesus Himself gave us the greatest example. Even while hanging on the cross and suffering terribly, He prayed for others. Luke 23:34 says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
What amazing love and mercy!
There is a true story about a Christian woman whose neighbor treated her badly for years.
The neighbor insulted her, spread rumors about her, and ignored every act of kindness. One day the woman’s pastor asked her, “Have you prayed for her?”
The woman answered honestly, “No. I only complained about her.”
The pastor encouraged her to begin praying every day for that neighbor. At first, it was difficult, but slowly her attitude began to change.
She became more patient and forgiving. Months later, the neighbor became sick, and the Christian woman brought food and helped care for her.
Eventually the neighbor asked, “Why are you being so kind to me after how I treated you?”
That conversation opened the door for the gospel.
Prayer changed the relationship.
Sometimes the fastest way to improve a relationship is not another argument. It is prayer.
Many people today carry burdens in their relationships. Some have family members who are far from God.
Some have children making wrong choices. Others are struggling in marriage or dealing with broken friendships.
Do not stop praying.
God hears every prayer offered with love and faith.
Second, we learn that we must pray for people to grow spiritually.
Paul did not pray only for physical blessings or easier circumstances. He prayed for spiritual maturity.
In verses 9 and 10 he says, “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
Paul prayed that their love would grow. Christian love is not shallow emotion. It is love guided by truth and wisdom.
The more we know Christ, the more we learn how to love others properly. Many relationships fail because love becomes selfish, but real love seeks the good of others.
Paul also prayed that they would make wise choices. The world is full of temptation and confusion.
Many decisions look good on the outside but eventually lead to pain and regret.
Young people especially need prayer today because they face pressure from social media, immoral entertainment, worldly values, and bad influences.
James 1:5 reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Paul further prayed that they would live pure and blameless lives.
God desires sincerity and integrity from His people. The word “pure” carries the idea of being genuine. God wants believers whose private lives match their public testimony.
In today’s world, many people pretend to be spiritual while secretly living in sin. But God sees the heart.
Finally, Paul prayed that they would become more like Jesus Christ. Verse 11 says, “Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
The fruit of righteousness includes Christlike character such as love, patience, kindness, humility, honesty, forgiveness, and holiness.
Prayer is not simply asking God to make life easier. Prayer is asking God to make people more like Jesus.
A father once prayed faithfully for his rebellious son. For years the young man rejected God and became involved in drinking and bad company. Many nights the father cried while praying for him.
One evening the son came home late and saw his father asleep beside the bed with an open Bible. The father had fallen asleep while praying.
That image deeply touched the son’s heart. Later he surrendered his life to Christ.
Never underestimate the power of faithful prayer. You may not see immediate results, but God is always working.
Lastly, we learn that wemust trust God to complete His work in people.
Paul writes in verse 6, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
This verse gives us hope. Sometimes we become discouraged because people do not change quickly. We pray for years and still see struggles and failures. But Paul reminds us that God is still at work.
Spiritual growth is a process.
When a farmer plants a seed, he does not expect fruit the next morning. Growth takes time. In the same way, God patiently works in the hearts of people.
Some are praying for a spouse to come to Christ. Others are praying for healing in a broken relationship or for a prodigal child to return to God.
Do not give up.
God is able to do what we cannot do.
One famous example is Augustine, one of the great Christian leaders in church history. Before becoming a believer, Augustine lived a sinful life far from God. But his mother Monica prayed for him faithfully for many years with tears and perseverance.
At times the situation looked hopeless.
But God answered those prayers. Augustine eventually surrendered his life to Christ and became a powerful servant of God.
What if Monica had stopped praying?
Never stop believing that God can transform a life.
Sometimes God changes people suddenly. Sometimes He changes them slowly. But God is always faithful. And while we wait for Him to work in others, He is also working in us. He teaches us patience, humility, forgiveness, and deeper faith.
Prayer changes relationships because prayer invites God into the situation.
Today we have learned that we must pray for others with love and joy. We must pray for their spiritual growth and maturity. We must trust God to complete His work in their lives.
Perhaps there is someone in your life right now who is difficult to love. Maybe there is a relationship that feels hopeless.
Do not only criticize. Pray.
Do not only worry. Pray.
Do not only complain. Pray.
God can do what human effort cannot do.
But before we close, there is one more important question. Do you personally know Jesus Christ as your Savior?
You cannot truly experience the transforming power of God until you first surrender your own life to Him.
Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Every one of us is a sinner in need of forgiveness.
But God loves us deeply. Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again so we could have eternal life.
Romans 10:9 gives this promise: “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Salvation is not earned by good works or religion. It comes only by faith in Jesus Christ.
If you have never trusted Christ, today can be your day of salvation.
You can pray, “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. Please forgive me, save me, and change my life. I place my trust in You alone. Amen.”
If you prayed that sincerely, God hears you and welcomes you into His family.
And for every believer here today, let us become people who pray for others with joy.
Because prayer does not only change situations.
Prayer changes hearts.
