Read Philippians 1:3-5 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Discover
The main reason Paul wrote to the Philippian church was to thank them for their gifts and prayers while he was in prison. They meant so much to him that he spent the first part of his letter expressing his gratitude. He appreciated these friends who prayed, cared, and partnered with him.
While we may not be in a literal prison like Paul, many of us are living in our own prisons of isolation and loneliness. They might be caused by culture, pain, shame, or our enemy, but no matter the cause, we can choose to rebel and be joyful. God designed us for relationship and connectedness. We need each other.
How can you live this out today? Here are a few ideas:
• Thank God for one another. Text, write, or call someone today to tell them you’re thankful for them.
• Pray for one another. Write down one person you can pray for today and one person you can ask to pray for you, then actually pray.
• Partner with one another. Get on the team and be on mission with other believers.
Respond
Use your Philippians Guidebook to reflect and respond to today’s reading. For a digital copy of the guidebook, visit tpcc.org/rebels-guide.
Want to go deeper? Look up the following verses to see examples of how Paul prayed for other communities and people. Note what you observe and then continue with your time of response.
• Ephesians 1:15-17
• 2 Timothy 1:3