And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, Philippians 1:9-10 NABRE
Paul in the opening of his letter to the community at Philippi is praying for them. He is praying for the local community to be strong and to grow. He begins with thanksgiving, Paul thanks God for all He has done and for the partnership between the community and God spreading the word and works of Jesus. Then Paul asks God that the love in the community may increase and that they may grow in wisdom. Paul wants the community to have relational and practical knowledge, to know Christ personally and know how to live in Christ. Paul is aware the people are not judged by what they know but by what they do. So being smart but not living a life for others is not what Paul desires for the community. Paul has in mind that Christ was humble and obedient, even dying and then receiving glory, this is the ultimate model for the Christian life and love. If the people live as Christ did, humble, obedient, selfless and giving, then they too will be glorified. Paul stresses it is what is valuable to God that has true value, the things of this world perish, but God gives value that is everlasting.
We should learn from Paul, praying first by giving thanksgiving, which is a way of putting God first, than asking for God’s intercession. We should always pray for God’s will as Jesus taught the night before his death. We should always pray for others, that we may have the strength to put others before ourselves, to be a Christian who loves others and demonstrates this love in our actions.
How do you pray? Who is first in your prayer to God?
We should learn from Paul, praying first by giving thanksgiving, always pray for others, that we may have the strength to put others before ourselves, to be a Christian who loves others and demonstrates this love in our actions. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #first #thanks #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways