And This I pray....

Php 1:9-11  And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.  NIV

What do you pray for? Good health for yourself and those you care about? Solutions to financial difficulties? Do you pray that you will one day get married, or if you are married, that your marriage will get better than it is at present?

I believe those are worthwhile things to pray about. But let's not omit praying for things that we find in the Bible. Those who were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write Scripture can certainly teach us some important things about prayer.

I like how this passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians shares with us the above portion of a prayer. Paul prayed for their love to grow more and more. And He's doesn't mean just to grow in feelings of love. He is praying that their love would increase in knowledge and discernment.

Loving anybody without knowledge and discernment can be messy. You can end up doing more harm than good to the relationship and even to the person if your attempts at expressing love are only what you think are appropriate when in fact they're not.

If we can grow in our understanding of what God wants us to know about loving Him and one another we will be less apt to offend Him. (How we treat one another is one way can either bless or offend God.)

God also wants us to be filled with the fruits of righteousness. Not the fruits of sinfulness, or selfishness, or foolishness. He wants to think righteous thoughts, speak righteous words, and live righteous lives.

God can help with these things if we'll ask Him. Asking Him to do what He very much wants to do in us and for us and through us should be part of our praying every day. Answering those prayers will be to His praise and glory.