Prayer for Soma in 2022
Father, help us to be Kingdom-minded and to draw closer to you as we live obediently, love radically, and serve sacrificially.
Kingdom Living
• A new identity
• A new King
• A new future
Philippians 1:27a
Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
The Philippian church was a diverse community.
The Philippian church was transformed community.
Soma Mission Statement
We seek to glorify God as he transforms lives through Gospel-centered discipleship, grace-filled fellowship, and loving & serving our neighbors to the ends of the earth.
Prayer of gratitude and intercession
Prayer of gratitude (vs. 3-8)
Prayer of intercession (vs. 9-11)
Prayer of Gratitude
Philippians 1:3-5
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Paul is writing the letter to the Philippian church from prison.
In many ways the book of Philippians is a “thank you letter” from Paul to the Philippian church.
Philippians 1:5
…because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
Paul’s gratitude is because of the Philippian church’s partnership in the gospel.
How have the Philippians partnered with Paul in the gospel?
- Praying for Paul
- Suffering and enduring persecution themselves
- Sending financial support
- Sending encouragement support
- Advancing the gospel themselves
Philippians 1:6
I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
The “good work” in the Philippian church is the advancement of the gospel in them (their salvation & maturity) and through them (their partnership & ministry).
Philippians 1:7-8
Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Prayer of Intercession
Philippians 1:9-11
And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
Paul’s primary prayer for the Philippian church is that their love will keep on growing.
Their love for Christ Their love for advancing the gospel Their love for one another
The ultimate goal: to the glory and praise of God.