Prayer Diary for December 2011

Bible Readings and Prayer Points for Individual and Church Spiritual Growth
Count it all Joy - Philippians - Chapters 1 to 4

Paul wrote his letter to the Christians at the church in Philippi, as a prisoner. This was one of four letters he wrote during his four years awaiting trial before the Roman Emperor Nero, the others being Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. Even as he dictated the letter he was chained to a Roman soldier who was guarding him.

The Philippians had always been generous supporters of Paul's ministry and were in the habit of sending him gifts to enable him to plant churches and carry on his apostolic ministry without having to make tents to pay his bills. By helping him in this way, they were ensuring the work of God was progressing and so he refers to them accordingly as 'partners in the gospel' Philippians 1:5. They were able to contribute financially, whilst he had the calling and anointing to plant churches, so that, together, they ensured the work of the Lord was carried out.

On hearing that Paul was under arrest, the Philippians had sent him a generous gift through the hands of Epaphroditus, one of their church members, who had travelled from Greece to Rome in Italy to bring Paul their gift. They intended that Epaphroditus should stay and help Paul, which he did, until falling seriously ill and nearly dying.

So Paul writes them this letter expressing his thanks for their great generosity. One feature of the letter is that although Paul's circumstances do not appear to look good as be waits interminably for his trial date, which could end in his execution and he is constantly chained to a Roman soldier, what runs through this letter is a constant theme of joy. There is always so much to thank God for.

For Paul, there is the joy of the fellowship between him and the Philippian Christians which always encouraged him. He was overjoyed at the opportunities he had to share the gospel despite his confinement, because every eight hours the Roman soldier's shift would change and he would be replaced by a different soldier. What would Paul talk about to each soldier who couldn't escape hearing Paul speak whilst chained to him for eight hours at a time? So Paul writes that the whole palace guard has heard the gospel!

Despite his circumstances Paul writes in this letter, 'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!' and 'I can do everything through [Christ] who gives me strength' and 'My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.'

Philippians is a letter that demonstrates that our relationship with God triumphs over all adversities since God is able to work all things together for good to those who love him. As we pray through this letter this month may we learn to allow our faith to deepen, our expectations to increase and our joy in the Lord to triumph over every adversity.

1st - Saints, overseers and deacons - Philippians 1:1-2

1. Lord, we pray for every person who attends our church that you would watch over, keep, guide and use each one for your glory

2. We pray for all those who attend but do not yet know Jesus as their personal saviour and Lord; cause them to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit

3. We pray for all the pastors, that they would hear from the Holy Spirit and have all godly wisdom to accomplish your plans and purposes for the church

4. We pray for all the elders of the church that you would guide them in all the affairs of government of the church

5. We pray for all those who minister in the practical areas of the church that you would give them the skill and wisdom needed for each task

2nd – Partners in the gospel - Philippians 1:3-6

1. Lord keep us from being individualistic in our ministries and walk with you, O Lord, but always to work for the wider good of all in the church

2. Show us how we can work better with others in the work of the Lord so that we can maximise the fruitfulness of all we do, we pray

3. Give us hearts that delight in the success of others in the work of the Lord without feelings of jealousy

4. Teach us to be people who are always encouraging others to achieve their highest potential in Christ in their service and ministries for the Lord

5. Help us to be like the Philippians who were generous in their financial support for the work of the Lord, we pray

3rd – Brotherly love - Philippians 1:7-8

1. Teach us to love one another, O Lord

2. Help us see the potential in each person and encourage them, O Lord, rather than just see their faults

3. Teach us how we can best help those who are in need, we pray

4. Help us to love those who are naturally hard to love, we pray

5. Give us the wisdom, in seeking to help others in love, to be able to discern genuine needs from those who are merely seeking to take advantage

4th – The fruit of righteousness - Philippians 1:9-11

1. Give us clean hands and a pure heart, O Lord

2. Help us to develop and maintain pure motives in all we do, O Lord

3. In all our dealings at home and in the workplace may our actions be honourable at all times

4. May we be known by non christians as people who can always be trusted because we adhere to standards of righteousness, O God

5. Keep us in all times of temptation and trial so that we always maintain a good testimony

5th – Spreading the gospel despite difficulties - Philippians 1:12-14

1. Cause us to remember that you, O Lord work all things together for good for those who love you, so that we can always see things in a positive light

2. Give us the courage to take a stand for the gospel and righteousness even in the most difficult of circumstances, we pray

3. Teach us how to view our present difficulties, O God, as light and momentary, in comparison with the great glory that we shall experience in the life to come

4. Holy Spirit, we ask that you would use us as a testimony of Christ even in the most trying of circumstances

5. Make us effective in spreading of the good news of Jesus Christ remembering that our work is to be witnesses and the Holy Spirit's work is to convict and save people

6th – The effectiveness of intercessory prayer - Philippians 1:15-19

1. Lord Jesus, teach us to pray like you pray

2. Holy Spirit, teach us to wait on you, to place upon our hearts the things you want us to intercede for, so that we may be effective in our intercession

3. We intercede for all the ministers and churches in our land that you would send your fire, Holy Spirit, and raise up an army of God

4. We pray for our government, Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords that you would break all influences of ungodliness in the laws they pass

5. We pray for our church, our borough, our city and our nation that you will bring a mighty revival, Holy Spirit

7th – For to me to live is Christ - Philippians 1:20-21

1. Help us as a first priority to seek first the Kingdom of God and righteousness

2. May our lives truly be lived for Christ, at home, at school and colleges, in work and amongst our neighbours, O Lord

3. Make us fruitful in every area of our lives and activity, we pray, as we do everything as unto the Lord

4. O Lord, may you be our first thought in the morning, our last thought at night and the motivating power that guides our thoughts and actions at all times in between

5. Help us, O God to live this life in the light of the life that is to come, so that our priorities will always be in the right order

8th – Effective service - Philippians 1:22-26

1. Make us doers and not merely hearers of your Word, O Lord

2. Holy Spirit, show us the things you have given us the potential to excel in and help us to achieve our full potential in Christ

3. Enable us to stand firm, O God, letting nothing move us, giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, knowing that our labour in the Lord is never in vain

4. Help us to encourage, build up and equip each other to grow deeper and stronger in our relationship with you, O Lord

5. Help each of us in the various ministries that we carry out, that what we do is effective because it is motivated by our love for you, O Lord

9th – Stand firm in one spirit - Philippians 1:27-28

1. Help us at all times, O Lord, to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ

2. Make us one in your Spirit, O God, leaving no foothold for the enemy in our midst

3. Enable us to overcome any hindrances to unity, so that we may stand strong and experience the blessing and anointing of your Spirit, we pray

4. Take away all fear of men from each of us, O Lord, so that we may boldly be witnesses for Christ

5. Cause the roots of our faith to go deep, O God, so that nothing will be able to shake us

10th – Suffering for Christ - Philippians 1:29-30

1. Give us the strength of character to be able to stand up to any opposition that comes against us because we follow Christ, we pray

2. We pray for those among us who are placed in difficult positions at their places of work because of their faith in Christ; strengthen them and grant them favour

3. Give us a clear understanding of what we have been saved from through our faith in Christ, so that any suffering for our faith will be seen to be little by comparison

4. No matter what we go through, cause us always to remember, O Lord, that in every circumstance you work all things together for those who love you

5. Give us the grace we need for each new day, O God, and may we face each trial of our faith with the inner joy of the Lord that no circumstance can take away

11th – Considering others before ourselves - Philippians 2:1-4

1. Help us to grow from self-centredness to Christ-centeredness, we pray

2. Make us people who delight in helping others achieve their full potential

3. We pray for each of the husbands in the church, that they may love their wives as Christ loved the church, seeking her highest good

4. We pray for all the wives in the church that they may respect their husbands, seeking his highest good

5. Help each of us to be someone who can always be trusted and relied upon when others seek our help and advice

12th – Having the attitude of Christ - Philippians 2:5-8

1. Teach us to suppress all instincts towards selfishness, Lord Jesus and instead to develop the same attitude of servant-heartedness that you displayed

2. Help us always to put the interests of you, O God, before our own, even when that seems a hard thing to do

3. Break all inclinations towards pride that may be within us, O Lord and instead to emulate the humility of Christ

4. Help us to learn, O Lord, that it is as we humble and submit ourselves before you that you can then lift us up to the place where you want us to be

5. Holy Spirit, help us to have the mind of Christ

13th – The Lordship of Christ - Philippians 2:9-11

1. Jesus, help us to allow you to be Lord of every area of our lives we pray

2. Be the Lord of our ambitions, plans and goals in life so that we are always in your perfect will

3. Be the Lord of all our finances so that we always use our money as wise and faithful stewards

4. Be the Lord of our character, helping us to daily put to death the old nature and live in our new spiritual nature

5. Holy Spirit, fill us with all wisdom, insight and spiritual gifts so that we may be led by you in everything we do

14th – Work out your salvation with fear and trembling - Philippians 2:12-13

1. Teach us to understand the gravity of the sin from which we have been saved so that we may fully appreciation the free gift of our salvation through the cross

2. Teach us the reverential fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, so that we are never tempted to regard sin lightly, we pray

3. May we never become complacent in our faith but constantly seek to live out the gospel

4. Help us to live 24 hours a day as the ambassadors of Christ that you have called us to be, O Lord

5. May everything we do, whether small or great always be as unto you, O God, always seeking to do it righteously and to the best of our ability

15th – Do everything without grumbling - Philippians 2:14-18

1. Make us a grateful people who understand the greatness of the grace you have extended towards us, O Lord

2. Cause us to realise that even if we had nothing in this world except our salvation in Christ, that would be worth more than the entire riches of this world

3. Enable us to be the peacemakers you have called us to be, O Lord, and not people who are quick to take offence or argue

4. Teach us the difference between matters of righteousness and justice that we cannot compromise and matters that are not significant from which we can walk away rather than argue

5. In every circumstance, help us to live in the peace of God that passes all understanding, and so stand out as different to those who do not know the Lord

16th – Looking after the interests of others - Philippians 2:19-24

1. Help us in our duty to be our brother's and sister's keeper, O Lord

2. Give us a genuine 'agape' love for people, O Lord

3. May our eyes not only be on our own needs, O God, but looking out for the interests of those who need our help

4. Draw to our attention, O Lord, those you want us to help, whose needs may not be immediately obvious but which are known to you

5. Bless and anoint our discipleship cells, O God, and may they continue to be a place where individuals are built up in the life and ways of God

17th – A heart like Epaphroditus - Philippians 2:25-27

1. Give us a heart that desires to work hard and put our all into being good servants and ministers of Christ, we pray

2. Help us to see the needs that are around us and to willingly to give of our best to help in the name of Christ

3. Enable us to go the extra mile when the necessity arises, knowing that we do it for Jesus' sake

4. Help us to give our support to all those who labour for the Lord in ministry, remembering that even a cup of water given in Jesus' name will not be without reward

5. May we be people who others can always depend upon in their times of need

18th – Risk takers for Jesus - Philippians 2:28-30

1. Lead us Holy Spirit to be risk-takers for Jesus

2. Cause us to grow in faith where we can know the leading of the Holy Spirit and so step out in faith to accomplish all you want us to, we pray

3. Teach us the difference between presumption and true faith, O Lord, so that we do things by your Spirit and not in our own strength

4. Help us follow the example of Epaphroditus who was willing to go more than the extra mile in his service for you, O Lord

5. May our love for you and service that flows out of it, exceed our love for anything else we do, O Lord

19th – Rejoice in the Lord - Philippians 3:1

1. As we wait on you and walk in your ways, may joy, as the fruit of the Spirit, fill our hearts

2. Cause us to remember that your joy, O Lord, is not as a result of our circumstances, whether good or bad, but as a result of our relationship with you

3. Give us the ability to always focus on the positive and remain positive in our thinking, rather than dwelling on negative things

4. Give us such a depth of understanding of the riches of your grace towards us, O Lord, than nothing will dampen the joy of our salvation

5. Make us a people who bring joy to the lives of others rather than dampening their spirits, we pray

20th – Not trusting in our own works - Philippians 3:2-6

1. Teach us to commit to you each day everything we do, O Lord, so that we do not depend on our own strength but yours

2. Holy Spirit, help us to seek you for the gifts of the Spirit that will be of most benefit to the life and ministries you have called each of us to do

3. Holy Spirit, give us the ability to do all practical and administrative tasks, not in our own strength but under your spiritual anointing

4. Fill us anew right now with a fresh anointing of yourself, Holy Spirit, we pray

5. Lord, we lay ourselves before you as living sacrifices for you to take up and use according to your perfect will

21st – A sense of true value - Philippians 3:7-9

1. Teach us to see through the Spirit, O Lord, what is of true value in this world and what is illusory value only

2. Help us to store up our treasures in heaven where rust and moth does not corrupt and thieves do not steal, we pray

3. Inspire us, Holy Spirit, to work for that which will endure forever rather than that which is of temporary worth

4. May we always strive to understand more and seek to live out more the righteousness that comes from Christ

5. May our desire for, O Lord, always be greater than for anything else we have, or aspire to have, in this world

22nd – A closer walk with Christ - Philippians 3:10-11

1. May we, like the apostle Paul, be able to say that our first passion is to know Christ more and more

2. Help us to live daily in the power of the resurrection of Christ, we pray

3. May we not be discouraged when we experience suffering, but rather feel a closeness to Christ who suffered much more for our sakes

4. As you, Lord Jesus, were totally obedient even unto death, help us to learn obedience

5. Keep our eyes focussed on our glorious future which includes our new resurrected bodies in which we shall spend eternity with you, O God

23rd – Pressing forward - Philippians 3:12-14

1. As we recognise that we are not yet perfect, O Lord, help us to press on further in our life in Christ

2. We cannot change the past but help us to be determined to change the future as we seek to walk hand-in-hand with Jesus through this life, we pray

3. Help us not to get ourselves stuck in our present circumstances but to always rise above them and press forward in our God

4. If there are any hindrances in our lives that are holding us back from pressing forward in God, reveal them to us, Holy Spirit, and help us to deal with them

5. Keep us from being complacent and happy with where we are now; rather give us the vision to see where you can take us in the future, O Lord

24th – Becoming mature - Philippians 3:15-16

1. Help us to grow spiritually a little more each day, we pray

2. Make us people of the Word, O God, who take the time daily to read the Bible and seek to apply it in our daily lives

3. Give us the self-disciple to spend time with you daily in prayer, O Lord

4. Give us ears to listen as you speak to us, O Lord so we can learn to act with spiritual maturity

5. Make us role models to all those around us and especially to non-Christians outside the church, we pray

25th – Being an example - Philippians 3:17-21

1. Thank you, heavenly Father, for the priceless gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, given freely for us

2. Thank you Lord Jesus for your willingness to step down from heaven to become the Saviour of the world

3. Lord Jesus, as we see in you God becoming human for us, help us to look to your example and learn how to humble ourselves likewise

4. Cause us to remember, Lord Jesus, that just as you came from heaven to this earth, our citizenship is in heaven; may we live as citizens of heaven

5. Give us the integrity in life to be able to say to others; "Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ"

26th – Put right disagreements - Philippians 4:1-3

1. Lord, if there are those we are out of relationship with, so far as it depends on us, help us to put things right

2. Search our hearts, Holy Spirit, and reveal to us any root of bitterness or unforgiveness within us and give us the grace to root it out

3. Give us the grace not to hold on to our rights, when it is only our pride that is really at stake

4. Help us to learn the ministry of being peacemakers, we pray

5. Cause us to avoid every situation that would enable the devil to gain a foothold in our lives through disagreements with brothers and sisters in Christ

27th – The peace of God - Philippians 4:4-7

1. As we receive peace with God through our faith in Jesus, may we also grow in the inner peace of God

2. In every circumstance cause us to realise that the peace of God is not dependent upon changing circumstances but on the unchanging relationship with our Heavenly Father

3. Teach us the secret of casting our cares on you, O Lord, so that we may not be anxious about anything

4. For any family in the church where there is strife for whatever reason, we pray that your peace will come to that situation

5. Lord we bring all our personal needs before you right now; help us and undertake in every situation we pray

28th – Noble thoughts - Philippians 4:8-9

1. Help us to determine to fill our minds with noble thoughts, O Lord, and not ones that are unworthy

2. Give us the discernment to know what is right in any given situation, O God, and to think on and pursue it

3. Make us a people who are quick to praise others and build them up, we pray

4. May we always put into practice the things we learn from your Word or through wise counsel

5. As we do these things, O Lord, may we be conscious of your continual presence with us always

29th – Knowing the secret of being content - Philippians 4:10-13

1. Make us different from the world, O Lord, in that we are not focussed solely on striving after getting more and more

2. May we know the peace that comes through learning how to be content in whatever our current circumstances happen to be

3. When we have plenty, enable us to use it wisely and when we have little, help us to manage it well, knowing that we never lose our true spiritual riches in Christ

4. May our focus be on you and your Kingdom, O Lord, recognising that it is for eternity but present riches are but for a season

5. In the management of all our finances enable us to do all that is necessary through Christ who gives us strength, we pray

30th – Generous giving - Philippians 4:14-18

1. Teach how to be generous with our worldly possessions, O Lord, recognising that 'naked we come into this world and naked we will leave'

2. Make us a people, O God, who are not afraid to bring our tithes into your work, knowing that you will cause us to reap according to how we sow

3. Give us a heart like the Philippian Christians, O Lord, who saw sowing financially into the Kingdom of God as a high priority

4. Help us to keep a light hold over our possessions, O God, so that giving some away is not a difficult decision

5. Teach us the truth of your words, Lord Jesus that, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'

31st – A God who meets all needs - Philippians 4:19-23

1. We bring all our spiritual needs before you, O Lord; where we are spiritually poor, help us to become spiritually rich

2. As we bring our personal needs to you, O God, since you know what is best for us, help us according to your will for us

3. We bring our family needs before you; help us in every matter, we pray

4. We bring our employment needs before you, O Lord, asking that you would put us in the right job at the right time for the right salary

5. As we bring all our financial needs before you, O Lord, make us a people who can experience the principles of reaping according to how we sow