Always in every prayer of mine for you all
The apostle was a praying believer, and a praying minister:
notwithstanding all his gifts, and graces, and high attainments,
he was not above the work and duty of prayer, and in which he was
sensible he stood in need of the assistance and direction of the
Spirit of God, As soon as he was converted he prayed, and
continued to do so without ceasing, as he himself directs; he was
constant and assiduous at the throne of grace, and was concerned
for others, as well as himself, for all the churches, and for
this church, and all the saints in it.
Making request with joy;
for what God had done for them, and continued with them. Requests
are to be made known to God with thanksgiving. When we request a
favour of him, it becomes us to return thanks for what we have
received from him. Thanksgiving is a branch of prayer; as we have
always mercies to ask for, we have always mercies to be thankful
for.