Episode 34: Philippians 1:4-6
Today’s verse is Philippians 1:4-6
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.
Let’s pray together.
Father, I’m glad that we do not walk through this life alone. As Christians, we have brothers and sisters who are there beside us. I love knowing that I can depend on them and they on me. It’s so important not to isolate ourselves, not to attempt to do it all on our own. We literally can’t. We’re not made for it. Sin won’t allow it. The only surety we have is You, Jesus.
You made us to be in relationship with You and with others. You chose twelve disciples to carry on Your name and there were so many other people who followed You who did the same. 500 people saw Your resurrection and were witnesses. Persecution scattered Your people all over the known world. Everywhere they went, they worked together, encouraged each other, preached together, cared for others. Paul went on missionary journeys with others like Barnabas, Timothy, and Silas.
When he wrote these verses he was in prison, but he was remembering the people who were co-workers with him. Jesus, help me not to forget those that I work alongside, who are my brothers and sisters. Bring to my mind someone who needs help today. Give me the boldness and resources to reach out to those who could use what You’ve given me to offer. Fill me with joy that there are people around me who lift me up and help me when I am in need.
I pray for unity, not division. I pray we can understand the great peace we have because of Jesus and revel in it, claim it, and practice it. When I am afraid or upset or lonely or confused, I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me through those feelings and will instead weave me into the friendships of those around me, that we can bolster and encourage one another. May we think first and speak only with the inspiration of the Spirit, using His words to let other people know of the hope we have.
Comfort the grieving today, Jesus. I pray they can feel Your arms around them and if they need to be mine, let me know. Strengthen the weary, fill their hearts with hope, and if I have words to keep them going, provide them to me. Heal the sick, take pain and infirmity from the sufferers and help me to know what resources I can provide to ease their bodies and minds. Provide for the poor and destitute, surround them with friends and laborers, send resources and willing hands, and show me who my hands can help today.
Over all of these things, LORD, when it feels as if life is unfair, as if the darkness is winning, as if I am all alone, remind me You are there and that You are in control. The world does not always come in black and white, absolute truth, or surety of next steps. I will struggle to balance trust and faith, planning and waiting, my responsibility vs other peoples.’ But the one thing I don’t have to do is believe that I am capable of anything without You. My very breath comes from You. You enabled my heart to believe. You saved me from my sin. You will save my family, my friends, my co-workers, my schoolmates, and everyone else. I follow You, not the other way around.
Jesus, enable me today to be open to what You have for me, what You want me to do. To believe so truly that You will complete what You started in me. That is black and white, that is absolute. That is what I can hold on to through the hardest of times. You complete what You start. All of history is the weaving together of Your story and I am blown away by all You made happen to accomplish it and to establish Your glory.
Establish it again in us, in our relationships, in our actions and words. Complete in us Your tasks and Your desires. Let us work together in harmony, loving with Your love, spreading Your peace, Your hope, Your joy. Let us give knowing nothing we have belongs to us. We are not alone. We have You. You gave us each other. May we cherish what we have and honor You by giving and giving, knowing You will always replenish in us that which we have done by Your direction.
Today, be joyful and give and do not attempt it on your own. Remember He will guide and He will direct and it is always He, not us, who completes good works.
I pray this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
