People who experience a major loss in life are often reminded of just how dependent they are. I know I was reminded of that when Becky passed away 11 years ago. Her death taught me many lessons. One of them was just how much I needed others. First of all, I was dependent on the prayers of others. But I was also dependent on God's direct help to see me through the grieving process. Experiencing the loss of a spouse helps us to focus on what really matters as Christians. Facing something like that means that you cut away the peripheral issues of life. Self-sufficient living really shows up for what it is. We are pressed to prove that there is no more important aim in life than to validate the sufficiency of Christ and our utter dependence on him.
Today, as I was preparing for tomorrow's class on Phil. 1:19-26, I was struck by Paul's own sense of dependence. In verse 19 he writes, "For I know that through your petition and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance." The Greek word for "petition" is the same one that appeared in verse 4. The word normally refers not to prayer in general but to an "entreaty," "request," or "supplication." What Paul needs in prison is not just the prayers of God's people in general but their specific petitions in a time of intense and immediate need. Such petitions were not generalities but actual requests to God in which specific needs and concerns are mentioned.
Now let's look at the word "provision." The term appears only here and in Eph. 4:16 in Paul. It could also be rendered "furnishing," "help," or "support." The genitive that follows -- "of the Spirit of Jesus Christ" -- can either mean "the provision which is the Spirit of Jesus Christ" or "the provision given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ." The later meaning seems to fit the context better.
What I find infinitely interesting here is that the terms "petition" and "provision" seem to be linked by Paul in such a way as to imply that the provision comes through the petitions of the Philippians. Perhaps we could translate Paul's words, "through your petition and consequent provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." Is Paul here sensitively hinting that the supply of the Holy Spirit in our lives is directly dependent on the prayers of others? This may well be the case.
As I entered widowerhood, I did not do so without the keen awareness of a Helper who was constantly providing me with everything I needed in order to face that trial. And I have no doubt that this provision was due, in very large part, to the faithful prayers of my family and friends on my behalf. When my world began spinning out of control, my natural inclination was to withdraw into myself and my blur of emotions. With God's help, I learned to let him work things out inside of me -- both through the prayers of others and through the consequent provision of his indwelling Spirit. Thanks be to God.
Have a wonderful day!