A Philippians Daily Reading and Prayer Guide
This August at Arapaho, we’re beginning a four-week worship series in the book of Philippians called “Unfinished & United.”
This little letter, written nearly 2,000 years ago by the Apostle Paul, isn’t a dry theological treatise—it’s a love letter between friends. Paul wrote it from prison to a community in Philippi that had supported him, encouraged him, and partnered with him in the work of love and justice.
It’s a letter full of gratitude, resilience, and joy. But it’s also grounded in reality: Paul and the Philippians knew what it was to struggle, to face opposition, and to keep going when the road was long.
That’s why Philippians is the perfect companion for our moment. In a world that can feel divided and exhausting, this letter offers a vision of joyful partnership, mutual care, and resilient hope. It reminds us that we are all equal partners in God’s work, that we are always growing and becoming, that humility is the heartbeat of healthy community, and that contentment is possible—even in difficult seasons—because of God’s sustaining presence.
A Devotional Guide for the Journey
To help us live with Philippians over these next four weeks, we’ve created a Daily Reading & Prayer Guide that walks through the letter from start to finish.
Here’s how it works:
Each day you’ll read a short passage from Philippians.
Alongside it, you’ll find a devotional thought to spark reflection.
You’ll also have a simple prayer prompt to guide your conversation with God.
The guide follows our Sunday preaching schedule but also helps you explore the verses around it. By the end of the series, you’ll have read the entire letter—not just in chunks, but in a way that lets you hear Paul’s words as a whole.
Why This Matters
Philippians reminds us that we’re all unfinished—that God is still at work in us, shaping us into a people of love, humility, and joy. And it shows us we’re not alone—that we’re united in Christ, bound together across generations and circumstances in a community of hope.
Whether you’re brand new to the Bible or have read Philippians dozens of times, this journey offers something fresh: a chance to walk slowly through a letter between friends and discover how its wisdom can speak into your life today.
Week 1 — Partnership in the Good News
Theme Verse: “The one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion…” (Phil. 1:6)
Sun Aug 17 — Philippians 1:1-11
Devotional Thought: Paul greets the Philippians not as subordinates but as partners in God’s work. Our faith is a team sport.
Prayer Prompt: Thank God for specific people who have shaped your faith.
Mon Aug 18 — Philippians 1:12-14
Devotional Thought: Even in prison, Paul sees the gospel advancing. Sometimes God works in surprising places.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to give you eyes to see hope in hard circumstances.
Tue Aug 19 — Philippians 1:15-18
Devotional Thought: Paul rejoices whenever Christ is proclaimed, even if motives are mixed.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for humility and joy when others succeed in ways you didn’t expect.
Wed Aug 20 — Philippians 1:19-21
Devotional Thought: Paul’s life is rooted in Christ—life or death, it’s all Christ’s.
Prayer Prompt: Offer your life again to God’s purposes, whatever they may be.
Thu Aug 21 — Philippians 1:22-26
Devotional Thought: Paul chooses to remain for the sake of the community’s growth.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for the strength to put others’ flourishing ahead of your own comfort.
Fri Aug 22 — Philippians 1:27-30
Devotional Thought: Living “worthy of the gospel” means standing together in unity.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help our church stand firm in love when tested.
Sat Aug 23 — Philippians 1:1-11 (re-read)
Devotional Thought: Read slowly. Notice what gratitude for others stirs in you.
Prayer Prompt: Thank God for our church’s shared story.
Week 2 — Pressing On
Theme Verse: “I press on toward the goal…” (Phil. 3:14)
Sun Aug 24 — Philippians 3:12-16
Devotional Thought: Faith is a journey—we’re all still becoming.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God for courage to keep growing beyond your comfort zone.
Mon Aug 25 — Philippians 3:1-6
Devotional Thought: Paul warns against finding worth in credentials or status.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for freedom from the need to prove yourself.
Tue Aug 26 — Philippians 3:7-11
Devotional Thought: Knowing Christ is worth losing everything else.
Prayer Prompt: Offer God anything you cling to more than Christ.
Wed Aug 27 — Philippians 3:17-21
Devotional Thought: Our citizenship is in heaven—our loyalty is to God’s kingdom.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for the world to reflect God’s justice and mercy.
Thu Aug 28 — Philippians 4:1-3
Devotional Thought: Paul calls two friends to reconcile for the sake of the gospel.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for healing in relationships—yours or others’.
Fri Aug 29 — Philippians 4:4-7
Devotional Thought: Joy and peace grow from trust in God.
Prayer Prompt: Ask for peace that quiets anxiety today.
Sat Aug 30 — Philippians 3:12-16 (re-read)
Devotional Thought: Notice how God is drawing you forward right now.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for a willing and open spirit to God’s future.
Week 3 — The Mind of Christ
Theme Verse: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:5)
Sun Aug 31 — Philippians 2:1-11
Devotional Thought: True power is found in humility and service.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to shape your heart like Christ’s.
Mon Sep 1 — Philippians 2:12-13
Devotional Thought: God works in you to will and to act.
Prayer Prompt: Pray to notice God’s Spirit moving in your choices today.
Tue Sep 2 — Philippians 2:14-18
Devotional Thought: Joy comes from living as a light in the world.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you live with gratitude, not grumbling.
Wed Sep 3 — Philippians 2:19-24
Devotional Thought: Paul honors Timothy’s genuine care for others.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for those who mentor and guide you.
Thu Sep 4 — Philippians 2:25-30
Devotional Thought: Paul celebrates Epaphroditus’ faithful service.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for courage to take risks for the sake of love.
Fri Sep 5 — Philippians 3:1
Devotional Thought: “Rejoice in the Lord”—again and again.
Prayer Prompt: Ask for joy that’s not dependent on circumstances.
Sat Sep 6 — Philippians 2:1-11 (re-read)
Devotional Thought: Let the passage be a mirror. Where is God calling you to deeper humility?
Prayer Prompt: Pray for the grace to follow Christ’s way.
Week 4 — The Secret of Contentment
Theme Verse: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
Sun Sep 7 — Philippians 4:10-20
Devotional Thought: Contentment is found in Christ’s strength, not our circumstances.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for trust in God’s provision today.
Mon Sep 8 — Philippians 1:1-2 (review)
Devotional Thought: Grace and peace frame the whole letter.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for God’s grace and peace to fill your week.
Tue Sep 9 — Philippians 1:3-8 (review)
Devotional Thought: We are held in each other’s hearts.
Prayer Prompt: Thank God for the people you carry in prayer.
Wed Sep 10 — Philippians 2:1-4 (review)
Devotional Thought: Unity grows from looking to others’ interests.
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you notice where you can make space for someone else.
Thu Sep 11 — Philippians 3:12-14 (review)
Devotional Thought: Keep pressing on.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for perseverance in your calling.
Fri Sep 12 — Philippians 4:4-9 (review)
Devotional Thought: Think on what is good.
Prayer Prompt: Ask for a mind and heart that dwell on God’s goodness.
Sat Sep 13 — Whole letter of Philippians
Devotional Thought: Read the whole letter in one sitting to hear it as the Philippians did.
Prayer Prompt: Pray for our church to live out Philippians’ vision of joyful partnership.