I am guessing you have read the whole book of Philippians numerous times.  You might have heard a sermon series or more than one series on the book of Philippians. It would not surprise me if you have done a Bible study on the book of Philippians. When you hear, Philippians, you think, written by Paul while in prison and writing about joy. How about doing something different, let’s try Praying through Philippians.

How Paul is Praying through Philippians

Paul begins by saying that he is making his prayer with joy. He is not doing it because he feels compelled to be praying. He is praying with joy. So we need to be praying with joy. Paul has specific requests that he says he is praying for the Christians in Philippi. There are so many other things that we can pray for those we know.

Praying God’s Word is a powerful prayer. We know that this is what God wants for each of us so use Scripture to pray for others. Pray through Philippians and grow in knowing God.

Chapter 1

Because of your partnership in the gospel (1:5). Paul considered the Philippians partners. That shows his attitude towards them and how he valued them. Thank God for those that are partners in the gospel and pray that they will continue in that partnership for the gospel’s sake.

He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (1:6). There is confidence in this verse. Confidence that God is at work and he will bring it to completion. Pray that we will be patient, that we will continue to try God to work for his glory.

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, (1:9). This is a specific request that Paul prays for the Philippians. What a great prayer request to pray for yourself or those around you. Read the rest of the verse and you will see that Paul is praying so much more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (1:10-11). Pray that you will have knowledge and discernment to approve what is excellent and the result is to be pure and blameless. What a beautiful prayer to pray for someone you know.

What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel (1:12). Paul is in prison but that did not stop the spread of the gospel. Now he had opportunities to proclaim the gospel to those guarding him and others. Pray that whatever happens in your life it will serve to advance the gospel.

Much more bold to speak the word without fear (1:14) Pray that you will have the boldness to speak without fear. This goes back to understanding the gospel and knowing that God will bring God work to completion.

Christ is proclaimed (1:17). Paul writes about how some preached from selfish ambition but to him, the most important thing is that Christ is proclaimed. That should be our desire as well that Christ is proclaimed.

Christ will be honored in my body (1:20). Paul is wrestling through the longing for heaven and opportunities of remaining here. He ends with saying, whether by life or by death. Have you prayed that Christ would be honored in your body? As I ponder that, I think there are some things I need to change so that Christ will be honored, What about you?

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ (1:27). This is a prayer that our lives would be worthy of the gospel.

Standing firm in one spirit with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27). We need to be standing firm but that needs to be for the gospel, not just a stubborn will. To stand firm in the gospel we need to know the gospel.

Chapter 2

Being of the same mind, having the same love (2:1). Paul is calling us to unity. The basis for unity is in Christ. How would our lives be different if we had unity?

Do all things without grumbling (2:14). Pray that each of us will do all things without grumbling. Keep reading that verse to understand the reasons that we should not be grumbling.

Seek the interests of Jesus Christ (2:21). Here Paul is wanting to send Timothy and the comment that he writes about Timothy is different from others. Others seek their own interests but Timothy seeks the interests of Jesus Christ. Pray that yourself and others will seek the interests of Christ. That means putting aside our own desires and following Chris.

Chapter 3

Rejoice in the Lord (3:1). Our rejocing is to be in the Lord. Pray that we will rejoice in the Lord.

That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share in his sufferings (3:10) Pray that we will know Christ. We do want to know Christ and his power but we often want to stop there we don’t want to pray to share in his sufferings. We need to understand suffering. (I think that sounds like a topic for another post.)

Press on (3:12, 14). Pray we continue on in our Christian walk looking forward to Jesus. We need to keep the goal in front of us so we do not get distracted by the world around us.

Chapter 4

Stand firm in the Lord (4:1). This standing firm is not a stubborn “doing it my way” but standing firm in who God is and what he has called us to do. Pray that we will know God to stand firm in him.

Do not be anxious about anything (4:6). Pray that we will not be anxious but will turn to God in prayer.

Think on these things (4:8) Pray that our thoughts will pleasing to the Lord. Paul is clearn on what we should be thinking. It is easy to drift from this. Pray that you will guard your thoughts.

Learn to be content (4:11). Pray that yourself and others will learn this. Contentment is so critical to how we life our lives.

God will supply your need (4:19) Pray that we will look to God to meet our needs. Ask God what needs of others you can be meeting. God used the Philippians to meet Paul’s needs. Pray asking God to show you what needs of others you can be meeting.

Philippians is filled with so many truths that we can pray for ourselves and for others. I challenge you to dig in and pray.

Write these on 3×5 cards so you can flip through and pray each of them.

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

What is your favourite verse to pray in Philippians? There are so many, share yours in the comments.

 

Do you have a prayer triplet? Use this in that group.