It Is My Prayer…

GETTING STARTED

Do you know what to pray for in your life? Or does your prayer life falter after you ask God for better health, a better job, or a better way out of your current crisis? Sometimes we can exhaust our list pretty quickly, or get stuck with the same rote requests. There is so much we desire, but we don’t quite know how to go beyond the surface to tell God the longings of our heart. Today’s passage gives us an intimate look at a leader’s heart-driven requests for what really matters in a believer’s life.

  • How would you describe your prayer life? What do you pray for most often?

READ THE WORD: PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11 (ESV)

1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 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. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

(Today’s questions focus on verses 9-11.)

  1. Paul began his prayer in verse 3, and continued it in verses 9-11. What are seven things that Paul prayed for the Philippians (vss. 9-11)? Why are these essential for our life with Christ?
  2. What are the consequences of a love that grows in discernment (vss. 10-11)?
  3. Why do you think Paul began by asking for the Philippians’ love to flourish and thrive? Why is love foundational for our relationship to God?
  4. In your own words, what did Paul desire for the Philippians? How can you pursue these things in your own life?

RESPOND TO GOD

In verses 3-8, we learn that Paul held the Philippians in his heart because they partnered in the gospel together. His passion for their spiritual good overflowed into his prayer. As their love grew, Paul knew it would result in a more intimate relationship with Christ. A discerning love lived out leads to excellence and integrity in daily life, and this brings praise and glory to God. Next time you go before God in prayer, pursue these essentials in your own spiritual life and for those you love.

  • Praying the words of Scripture back to God is an excellent way to pray. Pray through verses 9-11 for yourself: God, may my love abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, so that I may approve what is excellent and that I may be pure and blameless…