TEXT: Philippians 1:3-11 (CSB) – “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”
We were challenged by Paul yesterday to remember our friends at the Throne of God. Today, let us consider --
With our every remembrance, we must direct our prayers FOR them to the throne
Paul is saying that every time he thought of them – he took them with thanksgiving and joy before the throne of God. He constantly sought from God, the living, strengthening, established, comforting grace of God on their behalf.
He prayed specifically for them. God wants us to be specific in our prayers. “bless all the people” is a nice sentiment, but it is not a specific request to God. In fact, it is not Biblical. God cannot and will not bless all people – He is still a God of judgment to those who are not in a relationship with Him.
Paul prayed specifically here for the people at Philippi --
· That they may be a “loving” people – “that your love may abound more and more…” (Vs. 9)
· That they might be a “knowledgeable” people – (vs. 9)
o Love to abound in “knowledge and depth of insight”
o Not a blind love
o Love God because of Who He is
o Love men because of the love of God flowing through us
· That they might be a “discerning” people – “so that you might be able to discern what is best” (vs. 10)
· That they might be “honest, upright” people – “and may be pure” (vs. 10)
· That they might be an “inoffensive” people – “blameless until the day of Christ” (vs.10)
· That they might be “fruitful, useful” – “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.” (Vs.11)
Can you think of a better catalog of things to pray for each other?
Consider today, how is our prayer life for those we know? Do we pray specifically for the needs of our friends? Do we hold our Body of Christ up in general or in particular prayer? Are we truly praying FOR them at the throne?
Tomorrow, we will finish this concept by considering that remembering our friends IN prayer will lead to strengthening our fellowship together.
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