Do You Know the Backstory?

by Missy Grant

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel…” Phil 4:2-3

Do you know the backstory……? In Philippians 4:2, Paul “urges Euodia and Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.” Philippians 4 is rich….oh, so rich, but I just want you to focus on verse 2 today. Why did Paul call them by name? Have you ever asked yourself that question? The backstory to Philippians 4 is that Paul is sitting in prison writing to his beloved in Philippi. He church planted there more than 11 years prior to the writing of his letter. He has received word that there was division within the body and two of his beloved co-laborers in Christ were at the center of it. How do we know they were beloved co-laborers….his word tells us that in verse 3. Unity of the body is very, very important to our Lord and therefore, important to Paul. These two women who had labored with him were now experiencing a difference of opinion or direction in ministry. We really don’t know the issue other than it was causing anxiety within the body. That we do know because in verse 6 Paul instructs the recipients of his letter to not be anxious.

Paul calling his co-laborers by name is very revealing and our focus today. There are a few possibilities as to the why of that. It is possible that these women were so prominent in their respective ministries that many would have known whom Paul was speaking to, so why not call them by name? I think that is a true possibility, but what strikes me more is the need to be specific in giving our anxiety to the Lord. I think his use of specifics was intentional and provided a foundation for the rest of the chapter.

Paul could have easily said, “I urge you to live in harmony in the Lord”, but his language was not that general. We can pray very generally to our Lord, but I believe there are times he wants the specifics. He hears our words and knows our thoughts, but there is something to being specific in our prayers.

What are you anxious about today? I want you to write down 4 or 5 things that you are anxious about. BE SPECIFIC – don’t just write down finances – write down, “I am anxious over the thought that I do not have enough money to pay rent tomorrow, or enough money to pay for……” What else are you anxious over? Worry over the health and safety of a loved one, illness, relationship issues, loneliness, educational choices…..BE SPECIFIC.

Now…Paul gives you instruction in verse 6 in what to do with your anxiety.

Give this a try… Lord, your word says to not be anxious for anything, but in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD.”(emphasis mine) Lord, this is what I am anxious about (read your list)…… Lord, my anxiety brings division within me - it separates soul and spirit. Your word instructs me to bring my anxieties to you and your peace will be with me. Thank you Lord, for redeeming that which is of you. You defeated at the cross the one who seeks to create anxiety – may we recognize Your power in victory and experience the freedom we have in “doing all things in Christ who strengthens me.” We praise you, Lord. Amen