NOVEMBER 22 - SERVANT OF CHRIST
READ Philemon 1
Paul urges Philemon to have mercy on his runaway slave, Onesimus, who has become a Christian.
INSIGHT
If anyone is a servant of Christ, he or she cannot be a tyrant to others. Jesus taught forgiveness, compassion, and gentleness - not harshness, anger, and retribution. Paul urges Philemon to forgive, receive, and restore his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ, now that he has become a Christian. The fact that this letter has been preserved indicates Philemon’s favorable response. Service to Christ requires a forgiving spirit.
PRAYER
Thank and praise the Lord that what He requires of us is something we are able to give Him:
The Lord is great and highly praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, rising splendidly,
is the joy of the whole earth.
Mount Zion — the summit of Zaphon —
is the city of the great King.
God, within your temple,
we contemplate your faithful love.
Like your name, God, so your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with justice
(Psalm 48:1, 9-10).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Let the wicked one abandon his way
and the sinful one his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
so he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will freely forgive
(Isaiah 55:7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
whom should I dread?
(Psalm 27:1).
The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever
(Psalm 121:7-8).
Paul urges Philemon to have mercy on his runaway slave, Onesimus, who has become a Christian.
INSIGHT
If anyone is a servant of Christ, he or she cannot be a tyrant to others. Jesus taught forgiveness, compassion, and gentleness - not harshness, anger, and retribution. Paul urges Philemon to forgive, receive, and restore his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ, now that he has become a Christian. The fact that this letter has been preserved indicates Philemon’s favorable response. Service to Christ requires a forgiving spirit.
PRAYER
Thank and praise the Lord that what He requires of us is something we are able to give Him:
The Lord is great and highly praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, rising splendidly,
is the joy of the whole earth.
Mount Zion — the summit of Zaphon —
is the city of the great King.
God, within your temple,
we contemplate your faithful love.
Like your name, God, so your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth;
your right hand is filled with justice
(Psalm 48:1, 9-10).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Let the wicked one abandon his way
and the sinful one his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord,
so he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will freely forgive
(Isaiah 55:7).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom should I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life —
whom should I dread?
(Psalm 27:1).
The Lord encourages us to come to Him with our concerns and desires. As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- Spiritual victory over temptation
- Opportunities to serve the Lord
- For our Senior Pastor search process, pray for church ministries amid Senior Pastor transition
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going
both now and forever
(Psalm 121:7-8).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2026.