Rejoicing in Suffering & Serving
Philippians is a joyful letter,
written by Paul from a prison cell
in Rome to one of the churches
he founded on his second
missionary journey (Acts 16).
In spite of Paul’s adverse
circumstances, Philippians
is a letter of encouragement
in the midst of persecution.
There is much for Paul to rejoice
about: the Philippians’ repeated
financial assistance, the hope of visiting the Philippian believers
soon, and the church’s steadfast testimony for the gospel.
Lord Jesus, Thank You that
we can rejoice at all times for
we know You & You are in control.
Help us Lord to be joyful in every
circumstance, even when things
are going badly and even when
we feel like only complaining.
Help us Lord to Pray In Faith;
Help us to Humble ourselves;
Help us to Obey Your Will. And
Thank You for the promise that
You will Complete the Good Work
that You have started in us. Amen
Lord, we will Pray in Faith:
I thank my God every time
I remember you. In all my prayers
for all of you, I always pray with
joy because of your partnership
in the gospel… Being confident
of this, that he who began
a good work in you will carry it
on to completion until the day
of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:3-6).
Lord, I am eternally linked to You
by grace through faith; for I’m part
of Your body as You are the head.
On reflection, thank You that
my needs are fully met in You.
Forgive me for the times I think and
act as though You are not enough.
For You will bring to completion
the good work that U began. Amen
Lord, we will Humble ourselves:
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make
a good impression on others.
Be humble, thinking of others
as better than yourself. Don’t
think only about your own affairs,
but be interested in others too…
Your attitude should be the same
that Christ Jesus had. Though He
was God, he did not demand His
rights as God. He made himself
nothing; (and) took the humble
position of a slave (Phil 2:3-7).
Lord, work in me the desire to please
You rather than to impress others.
Forgive me for selfishness, focussing
just on my needs and problems.
Help me Lord to also care more
about others and their needs.
Help me to have a servant’s heart
so that You Lord can do Your work
through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Lord, we will Obey Your Will:
Therefore my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed…
– continue to work out your
salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act in order to fulfill
His good purpose (Phil 2:12-13).
Lord, help me remember all that
I have learnt and to put my faith
into action in every part of my life.
Help me obey You with reverence;
for You Lord promise to work in me, helping me to obey, even when I can’t
sense the desire to do what is right.
Grant me new desires, give me
the power to live as I should; and
help me to hold on in faith. Amen