Philippians 1:9-11 - Praying For Abounding Love

Weare continuing to look at Philippians 1, and today we begin looking at verses9–11, where the Apostle Paul tells us how he prayed, and what he prayed for,when he prayed for the Philippian believers. Remember, he had already said thathe gave thanks for them in every prayer of his (v. 4). So Paul was someone whofaithfully prayed specific prayers for these dear people. What do we pray forwhen we pray for others? TheApostle Paul, in these verses, prayed that they would have abounding love withknowledge, that they would have spiritual discernment, that they would havesincerity and be without offense, that they would have the fruits ofrighteousness, and that they would live for God’s glory. Wow—whata wonderful thing to pray for believers, that they might find real joy as theylive the kind of life this prayer would produce in them. We see in verse 9 alove that grows and overflows—a love that is joined with knowledge and guidedby spiritual discernment. “And this I pray, that your lovemay abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment…”   Now,my friend, I would encourage you—if you are thinking, “I don’t know how to prayfor my wife. I don’t know how to pray for my husband. I don’t know how to prayfor my children. I don’t know how to pray for other believers at church”—openyour Bible to Philippians 1, read verses 9–11 out loud, and make this yourprayer for your friends, your family, and fellow believers. Noticethe first thing Paul prayed for when he prayed for them. He did not pray thatthey would have more success. He did not pray that they would have morecomfort. He did not even begin by praying for knowledge itself. He first prayedfor their love. Now, this love he is speaking of here is agape love—God’s love.It is God’s love flowing through us. It is a love we do not naturally possess,but one that comes as we are filled with the Spirit. Remember Galatians 5:22—thefruit of the Spirit. The first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love. Thatmeans that God Himself is loving through us. It is Christ loving those aroundus through us. Jesussaid to His disciples, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, ifyou have love for one another” (John 13:34). What kind of love was that? Hetaught them to love one another as “I have loved you” (John 13:35). AsGod loves us, as Christ has loved us—remember He died for us. He gave Himselfon the cross. It was an unselfish love. It was an endless, limitless love. Ifyou want to read about the quality and characteristics this love, look in 1Corinthians 13. He gives a description of God’s love:“Love suffers long and is kind; love does notenvy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely,does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice ininiquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things,hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.”Thatis the love of God. Herein verse 9, Paul is praying that their “love would abound still more andmore”. That word “abound” means it would grow—it would grow deeper andstronger. It would grow wider. It would grow more intimate. And that love forothers only grows as our love for Jesus Christ grows. Rememberwhat Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-5: “You are a greatchurch. I know your works, your labor—everything is commendable—but I have thisagainst you: you have left your first love. Return to your first love.” Thatlove that is from the heart—that love that is intimate, genuine, sacrificial, andsincere. That is what Paul was praying for. Oh, my friend, let us pray that wewould abound in love—for Jesus and for one another.  Letme ask you: Are you growing in love? Are you more in love with Jesus today thanyou were yesterday—than you were last year? Godbless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!