Philippians 1:9-11...Paul's Prayer for the People

Scripture:
Philippians 1
9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,
10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;
11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(all Scripture taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted)





Observations:
Paul know's how to pray for people.


Once again he points us towards the "day of Christ."


That which I have obtained through Jesus is to the glory and praise of God.




Application:
The most obvious application is to use Paul's prayer for the Philippian church as a model for how to pray for myself and others within the faith.  I want to take a closer look at what his prayer includes.  "That your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment."  I get a picture of love overflowing, pouring out of this vessel that is me because it just cannot be contained within my limits.  A love that leads me learn even more about Jesus and to grasp and comprehend that which is is not obvious.  This is not a love that follows blindly after Jesus, but one that desires to know Him more, to learn everything I can about Him, about what His will and desires are; about the way, the truth, and the life that He embodies.


When my love for the Lord leads me into that kind of knowledge I understand right from wrong, I make choices based upon what I know of how Jesus would have me live- a most excellent way of life.  That kind of love, keeps my feet from stumbling.  I look at the world and the people I meet each day in a different light.  I know to turn the other cheek, to guard my words, to avoid those things which would bring dishonor to God, to be gentle and kind and loving, to be a peacemaker, and merciful, forgiving others even as God through Christ has forgiven me.  To be patient, to put away all strife, envy, falsehood.  "To be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ."  


Each day I should be making progress and it should be evident.  When the day of Christ comes, when I am brought into His wonderful presence, I so long to hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."  Paul's letter encourages me that in following this pattern I will bring glory and praise to God throughout my life, not because I am perfect now, but because He is doing a good work in me, and I am eager to learn.


Prayer:
While this was Paul's prayer for the Philippians I am making it my own today, for me to love and learn and grow.  I also have what I call a prayer plan- on specific days of the week I pray for specific things- this is one I come back to when I pray for my local church every time I read Philippians but while I am doing this study I will keep continue to pray this prayer for the church each week.  In fact, I think I will get out one of my white-board markers and copy it onto my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder.


Grace and Peace,
Deb

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