This is day 8 of our 27 day gratitude and prayer guide in preparation for Thanksgiving. You can download the entire guide here.
Day 2: Reflect: Philippians 4:6-7
On a separate sheet of paper, write as much of Colossians 2:6-7 below as you can remember.
Re-read Philippians 4:6-7 and reflect on it.
Write your answers to the questions below on your sheet of paper.
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-6 and notice how Paul spoke of the Philippian believers (also known as the Macedonians). How did the Phillippian/Macedonian believers respond to severe trial and extreme poverty?
Reflect on times you’ve had plenty and times when you’ve had need. How did you respond?
Prayer of Confession and Thanksgiving
Preparation for prayer:
In what ways do you struggle to rejoice in hard times? What anxieties or situations do you fail to leave at the foot of the cross?
What things in your reading and reflection cause you to give thanks to God?
Spend time in prayer
Include confession of the struggles you have trusting and rejoicing in difficult times. Include thanksgiving for the things you mentioned in question 2. You can use the following as a guide
Dear Lord, I see how the Philippians let their trials and poverty well up into generosity, and I see the contrast in how I even when I have so much. I confess my selfishness and greed, my desire to get more for myself, and my inability to be content in what you provide. Please forgive me and change my heart in these things.
Father, I thank you for how you provide. Thank you that you can take all my worries and needs. Thank you for the sufficiency of your grace.
In the midst of my trials, you are there to provide peace. In times of poverty when I feel I have so little, I have you there hearing my cries. Thank you for how you guard our hearts and minds through your Son, and we pray this in deep thanksgiving through him, Amen.