Fasting and Prayer Guide
September 15th–16th
Break your fast with us at 6p Monday evening with a potluck dinner and a prayer meeting. If you haven’t yet, RSVP for dinner here.
Scripture passage
Philippians 2:1–6
1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life.
Sunday Evening
Scripture passage at the top of the page ▸
Worship
Based on the passage and today’s sermon, write down at least three things you find beautiful about Jesus. What draws your heart to Jesus as he is described in this passage? Talk to him about that now.
Confession
Paul opens v. 5 saying we are to have the same mindset as Jesus shows in this passage. In what ways do you fall short of sharing this mindset? In what ways has your self-centeredness affected you and those around you this week? Talk to the Lord about this.
Assurance
Look at v. 8 again. Jesus was perfectly, humbly obedient because we weren’t. “There is therefore now no more condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Take a full minute to thank Jesus for living the life you could not live and dying the death you deserved to die.
Petition
How would you like to see yourself reflect more of Jesus’ mindset in this passage? How would this change the way you do life with others? From this passage, what’s one change you would like to see in yourself by this time next year? Talk to the Lord about all this.
Monday Morning
Scripture passage at the top of the page ▸
Worship
Reread Philippians 2:1-16. Spend some time thinking through the Christian community pictured in these verses. Write down at least three things you find beautiful about the Lord’s intent for his church. What does the Lord’s vision for His people tell you about the kind of God He is? Take a few minutes to praise Him for all this.
Confession
There is often a stark contrast between God’s vision for His people and the way we actually do life together. What are some ways we as God’s people collectively fail to live out vv. 1-16? In what ways are you yourself part of the problem? Like Daniel models for us in Daniel 9, bring these failures before the Lord in confession.
Assurance
Read v. 13 again. The “you” Paul refers to here isn’t singular but plural. The Lord is at work in us as individuals and in us as His corporate bride. He never gives up on his people but works to renew us so that we “will and work” for his pleasure. What incredible faithfulness! Spend a few moments resting in this truth and praising him for it.
Petition
As you think about our next year of our life together, what would it look like for us as a church to more closely live out the picture we see here? Pray over this. Pray that over the next 12 months, we would experience the Lord empowering us to preach Christ, love one another, serve the city, and plant churches.
Monday Afternoon
Scripture passage at the top of the page ▸
Worship
Reread Philippians 2:1-16. Where all in this passage do you see the Lord’s heart for those who do not yet know Him? What does this tell you about the kind of god he is? Spend some time meditating on vv. 9-11 and praising our exalted savior.
Confession
While the Lord has his eye on the nations, often we look only to our own interests (v. 4)—or else we put a negative witness before those who don’t know Jesus instead of the positive one Paul describes in vv. 14-16. In what ways is this true of you? Now confess this to the Lord and pray for change.
Assurance
For all our failures, the Lord remains determined his people will “shine as lights in the world” (v. 15) and draw those who do not know Him (cf. Matthew 5:14-16). While we might consider ourselves a liability to His mission because of our failures, the Lord continues to forgive and to move His mission forward using us. What kind of God does this? Celebrate and rest in his forgiveness and his purpose for you.
Petition
What would it look like for Iron Works Church to “shine as a light in the world” (v. 15) both in our community and beyond? What would that look like for you (and your family)? Pray that the Lord would use this year to catch his vision for his mission and to grow our passion to pursue it. Pick one friend who doesn’t know Jesus and pray for them this year that the Lord would draw them to Himself. If you don’t have a non-Christian friend, pray the Lord would give you one this year.
Break your fast, Monday night at 6p
If you haven’t RSVPd for the meal and/or signed up to bring food, please head over here to do that.
We’re excited to worship with you!