Prayerfully Re-Center Around God
Philemon 1:1-25
The Apostle Paul writing to his friend Philemon: I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
~ Philemon 1:6
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
Paul’s Plea for Onesimus
8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.
12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Pondering Point
Two weeks ago, we asked you to think about whom you partner with in Gospel living and sharing. This week we hear a prayer about the impact of such a partnership. The connection between Paul and Philemon has produced beautiful ministry in the past. Now Paul leans into his partner again while addressing a sensitive issue with Philemon.
Read the letter (Philemon 1:1-25) and see what Paul is doing. Sacrifice is being asked for; bridges are hoping to be built; forgiveness is being sought. Such actions are often needed in partnerships. How is your partnership in faith (at church, small group, micro group, etc.) serving to deepen your view of life under God?
Review the Week
Who do you partner with? For whom do you make sacrifices? With whom are you looking to build bridges?
Repent (if necessary)
Do you need to repent of being overly independent (versus interdependent)? Do you need to repent of not investing in others for their growth? Have you refused to forgive or partner with certain people because of past hurts? Do you need to forgive in order to be a better partner?
Return (as necessary)
Come to God with a commitment to be more dependent on others to as a way to enhance your spiritual journey of discipleship. Commit also to forgive and invest in others for their sake. And for God’s glory.
Prayer
Borrowing from The Apostle Paul’s prayer for his friend Philemon, here is our prayer: Lord God, like Paul, we also seek such partnerships to deepen our walk with You and each other in faith, in grace, in understanding, in service, and in glory to You; In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.