Episode 86: Philippians 1:3-8
Today’s verse is Philippians 1:3-8
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Let’s pray together.
Father, I bring before You my friends today. I ask that You love and guide them in all truth. Comfort them in Your mercy and pour out Your grace upon them. Help them to know and understand Your way and the way You feel toward them. May they be wrapped in Your everlasting arms of peace.
Jesus, bring my friends to my mind often. I pray that I am always thinking of them and praying for them. Help me to remember them and their woes and joys and present them to You. I pray that my thoughts are directed outward, knowing that praying for the good of others helps shape me into the person You created me to be. I pray that I am selfless and kind and generous and a stalwart support to those I love. And mostly may I be so because I depend on You to be all that they need.
Thank You for the gift my friends are. Thank You for the support and love and generosity they pour out on me. I pray that whenever I feel lonely or neglected or unsupported that You remind me of all I have been given, of all You have given me. Of who You have given me. I pray that I may know their worth and I may appreciate it and I may help them to see just how important they are and how much they do and are.
I pray that You be with them in their lives. Whatever is going on, help them to draw close to You. I know You are working in them. You love them and have plans for them. I pray You do bring Your good works to completion. Each day a little more. Each day a step closer. Each day, more truth and more love revealed. Each day, a bit nearer to the most glorious version of themselves. Only You can bring this about, LORD, so be the workman You are and continue the good work, I pray.
Let us work together for Your glory. Let us bring about Your kingdom. Let us be Your hands and feet. Let us give to and help each other. Let’s be partners in the gospel. And let’s never forget that we are a body, that all of us are needed, and that we are given authority only in Your name. And that our gifts and our experience and skills and knowledge, they all come from You. And they are given to us so we can use them together. Help me weave together my life with those You have called and hold them close as fellow partakers of grace.
Whatever our condition, LORD, whatever our situation, whatever is happening in our external or internal circumstances, be our God. Be our grace. Help us to hold each other in our hearts and yearn for each other in the affection of Jesus and be there for each other in every way.
I pray this in Your good and Your giving name. Amen.
