Probably at no time in history should Christians be praying one for the other than presently. As we wait before the Lord, we’re coming through to the place where we can pray with confidence. See what Paul said about the people for whom he held concern.

Philippians 1:6—Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

(MSG) There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

The above passage from Paul landed in my heart well over half a century ago. Even in my darkest hours, it has held me. I received it first of all as a Word to my own heart. Gradually, it dawned on me that Paul was speaking it for the people for whom he was praying.

Being confident is from the Perfect Participle form of the Greek word peítho which means, “to persuade.” Very few may know what this means. But, let me try to explain it. A Perfect Participle describes something that has taken place already, but with a result that remains to the present. Through all that Paul went through, a persuasion had become solid in him that God abides faithful to those in whom He has begun His work. When does His work begin? It begins as soon as one turns from sin and starts believing that God loved him or her enough to send His Son to die for us all.

DEAR FATHER, I have believed You concerning Your Son. I know Your Word is true in all that it tells about Him. I know it is true because when I first turned from my sin and believed that He died for me, something wonderful happened in me. My life has never been the same. Here now are these others who have professed faith in Your Son. They are going through some hard times. I hold them before You today. Please use these trials to bring to completion the work You have begun in them.

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