In Philippians 1:9-11, the apostle Paul wrote “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi”…
It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Even though the apostle wrote those words a long, long time ago, there are prayer-seeds in this preserved ground worth slowing down for today. Take the time to pick those seeds up, turn them over in your hand (and your head), considering where they might bear fruit in your own life.
Parents sometimes struggle with what specifics to pray for their children. Consider Philippians 1:9-11. What better seeds could you find to plant in the quiet corners of your heart as you pray for your children?
- That their love for God and others would abound more and more
- That their knowledge and discernment would grow to revolve around Jesus
- That they would develop hunger and thirst for what is excellent in his sight
- That they might be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
- That they be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus
- That, in all things, their hearts’ desire would be to glorify God
We know we ought to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul’s letter to the Philippians begins with…
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (1:3-5)
…but maybe we struggle with what specifics to pray for our church family. Why not Philippians 1:9-11? What better seeds could you depend upon as you pray for your brothers and sisters?
- That their love for God and others would abound more and more
- That their knowledge and discernment would continue to be shaped by Jesus
- That they would hunger and thirst for what is excellent in his sight
- That they might be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
- That they be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus
- That, in all things, their hearts’ desire would be to glorify God
If we’re honest, we don’t always know what or how to pray for ourselves. Maybe you’ve been in a rough prayer-rut for quite a long time, always saying the same non-specific things over and over again. What if you picked up those Philippians 1:9-11 seeds and made them intensely personal as you pray to your Father in heaven today?
- “That my love for You and others would abound more and more.”
- “That my knowledge and discernment would abundantly flourish in Jesus.”
- “That I would hunger and thirst for what is excellent in his sight.”
- “That I might be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
- “That I be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus.”
- “That, in every aspect of my life, God would be glorified.”
Intentional, specific, faith-filled prayer… isn’t it essential to the confidence Paul expressed in Philippians 1:6?
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Let’s pray with that faith, hope, and confidence today.