Day TWO
BEGIN
Pray to experience joy in Christ through our theme verse:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Review the memory verse for the week:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)
READ
Read and meditate on this passage today: Philippians 1:1-11
Look for what you learn about God and listen for what the Spirit is saying to you through the Word of God. Notice why Paul prays with joy.
Philippians 1:1–11
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 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.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
For what does Paul thank God? Why does he pray with joy? Read Paul’s prayer in verses 9–11 slowly, as a model for your prayers.
PRAY
As the Spirit leads, let these themes guide you in your prayer today:
- Thank God people who are your partners in the gospel. Thank God for your prayer partner.
- Thank God for “carrying to completion” his good work in you.
- Confess any sin God is bringing to your mind.
- Pray Paul’s prayer in your own words.
JOURNAL
What are you learning as you seek to experience joy in Christ?
What do you sense God is saying to you by this Spirit, through this passage.
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SHARE
Talk with your prayer partner about what you are learning, how you are growing to experience more joy in Christ. Pray together.