What have been some of the toughest seasons of your entire life? How did you respond? What did your prayer life look like? If you really want to get to know someone (including yourself), listen to their prayers under pressure. Who we really are, how we really feel, and what we really believe are revealed most clearly when we pray. To open his letter to a young church, Paul prays. Although he is in a jail cell far away and unable to visit the church, he can pray for them and write to them. This selfless act shows the heart of someone who is content even in crisis. Despite hardship, Paul is not jealous or covetous of other Christians who are living an easier life. No, he rejoices with them, prays for them, and encourages them with 3 evidences of real Christianity, 4 encouragements of real Christianity, and 7 exciting gifts that God has for us! This packed prayer is like a bucket of fresh, cold, life-giving water drawn from a deep well poured out to nourish God’s people.