Oct 16 – The focus of this week’s daily prayers is on Developing a Positive Faith-filled Attitude to Life from Philippians 4:10-14, NLT, ‘How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.’

Oh Lord, too many people live with a positive attitude which is based on external factors going well for them – if some things become difficult that positivity can melt away. Though You do bless Your people, You also expect us to live by faith, and be diligent to work faithfully as good stewards using our time, talents and treasure wisely; as well as keeping our eyes on Christ, no matter what happens.

We are challenged by the level of faith revealed through passages such as Habakkuk 3:17 19, NLT, ‘Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.’

Lord, as we read such faith-filled words, it inspires and challenges us.

Personally, I lift my attitude to life to You and ask for insight in any area where I displease You. Cleanse me of anything that allows the enemy a foothold in my life, or that means I become overly reliant on human resources at the expense of committing everything to You and seeking to live in such a way so as to please You.

Help me – I commit myself to rejoice in You at all times and in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Oct 17 – Father, I thank You for the example of the Philippian church who were a generous and caring body of believers. They supported Paul many times financially (4:14-18), and this benevolence on their part greatly enriched him.

Although he didn’t seek their money and gifts, when they gave him these, these gave evidence of Your work of grace in their lives; and therefore, he rejoiced in these material things because of the good spiritual health, and power, reflected through the Philippian’s offerings.

May our offerings, as a Church, be given because we have the same motivation of love, care and service of Christ. Such giving gives evidence of good spiritual health and power – just as the Philippian Church possessed.

A generous spirit also helps to release us from the tendency to self-interest. Thank you for the wonder of Creation, it points to Your generosity, love and care. You call me to be a cheerful giver.

Continue to work in my life, and guide me in how to respond so that anything which may hinder my generosity be redemptively dealt leading to a new freedom in this area in my life.

I pray that we all be generous and cheerful givers. You call us to support Your Church and its mission through giving tithes, offerings and love gifts, and by giving of our time, talent and treasure. I commit myself to be such a generous Christian. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Oct 18 – Lord Jesus, You are the indwelling Christ who moved the Philippians to be a church of generous givers who excelled in caring for others.

Help us to never overlook the power of a material and financial offerings; such offerings demonstrate a level of spiritual maturity that has been formed through a close relationship with You. It also greatly blesses those in need and helps demonstrate Your love to them.

As we walk with Your Spirit, led and empowered by Him – He transforms our view of material things and finances. Instead of seeing them as ours to use as we please, He places the principles of biblical Stewardship at the heart of our lives.

We pray that these principles will be deeply planted in our lives leading to good Christ-honouring fruit. Amen

Oct 19 – Father, we know that the Spirit often motivates people to give financially and materially not only to bless His Church and other people, but also in order to release a greater measure of grace in and through their own lives.

Lord, may we become mature believers who practice being generous givers! Fill our church with spiritual power; we know giving is one of the best ways is to encourage ourselves to become warm, generous-hearted people.

When we read about the lives of the heroes of faith, we often find the common thread running through their stories – they loved to support and give what were in fact sacrificial love offerings to Your Church and its mission, as well as giving to people in need!

May people in years to come be inspired to follow our example of generosity, desiring the spiritual authority that arises from such generosity. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Oct 20 – Father, no matter what the difficulties or demands or obstacles Paul faced, or where they originated from, his relationship with You and being rooted in Your word gave him great resilience and strength.

As a result, Paul was able to replace negative, stress causing thoughts with a resilience and determination to honour and serve Christ whole-heartedly.

Instead, of being tossed about by the circumstances he faced – he learned to be content facing life’s challenges standing firm in Christ; he had learned to be positive in You. It had not come easily, through many trials and setbacks, but it was something Your Spirit taught him through all of his experiences, whether good or bad.

Lord, teach us how to remove the negative thoughts lodged in our minds which destroy our trust in Your goodness and leave me disillusioned about the potential for a faith-filled life in You.

Instead, I commit to fill my mind with Your Word and trust in You seeking to be guided by Your Spirit in all the things I do. In Jesus’ name and for His glory. Amen

Oct 21 – Father, many modern people believe that self-sufficiency makes one independent and free, but Paul’s spiritual freedom came from his Christ-sufficiency which made him totally dependent on keeping his relationship open and clear with You.

Lord Jesus, so that He could draw upon the power of the Spirit and strength that You poured into His life. This Christ-dependency led him into true freedom.

Lord, if there are any things I am doing, any poor attitudes I display, an atmosphere of negativity from my life, words or thoughts that speak of carnality or worldliness dominating my life, past or present self-will, disobedience or lack of biblical understanding, cleanse me from such and renew me in Your love and truth.

I desire to be fully open before You and free in Christ. Help and lead me into a place where I can find forgiveness, am clear about what I need to repent off leading to a new place of wholeness and freedom in Christ. Amen

Oct 22 – Apart from You, Lord Jesus, Paul could do nothing that would please the Father. He understood that in order to be fruitful or to do something of lasting significance in Kingdom terms – he also needed the prayers and support from other believers.

Paul’s stability resulted in a Spirit-filled man living a dependent life of prayer, worship, mission and service by the power of the grace and love flowing from You, His Lord and Saviour.

Touch many hearts and minds in our town, county and nation so that more and more people find this same stability in You, and they gain a positive, Christ-focussed attitude. Turn Telford into a town that is filled with warm, generous Christ-honouring people. Amen