Paul's Prayer for Ministry Partners
Series: Prayers from the Bible
November 20, 2022
Frank Foreman
One of the things we learned growing up in the church was the unique partnership we have with missionaries serving in countries around the world. We learned that our financial support (a.k.a. partnership) allows for the missionary to focus solely on the work of sharing the gospel in the country or culture group in which they were investing themselves. ---------- While that is a great way to "partner" in ministry with missionaries, we also had and continue to have a responsibility to partner in prayer with missionaries as well as other Christians even within our own church family. ---------- It gives us a great opportunity to not only intercede in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also reminds of our need for mutual encouragement with each other in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the focus of our message this Sunday as we continue our series on "Prayers from the Bible."
Episode Notes
Philippians 1:3-11, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel.
For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and 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.
Big Idea: Pray for partners in ministry both local and global.
1. Be thankful in recollection of ministry partners.
Philippians 1:3, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you….
Luke 17:15-16, Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving Him thanks.
2. Be prayerful in supplication for ministry partners.
Philippians 1:4a, ….always in every prayer of mine for you all….
Romans 10:1, Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
3. Be joyful for the contribution of ministry partners.
Philippians 1:4b-5, ….making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.
Luke 2:9-11, And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Next Step: In addition to praying for our ministry partners….
Encourage them by letting them know how you are praying for them.
Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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