It's a wonderful thing to know someone is praying for you, that they've promised to to do so indefinitely. Parent's do so naturally and it's a blessing for those children who have such covering from godly parents on a daily basis. I have felt this in my family.
When my husband and I got married one dear brother and sister-in-Christ couple pledged to pray for us. Each time they saw one of us, even after many year's absence from their area, the wife would refresh that promise reminding us we were still in their prayers. It really touches ones' heart to know of such consistency and care.
When the apostle Paul told the Philippian believers he was praying for them, it must have been a boon to their collective souls. It was a prayer of depth too. It wasn't just that they'd have journeying mercies or good physical health and enough food. No, it was much more.
His prayer for them was that,
"...your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight..." (Philippians 1:9 NIV).
Unpack that.
Yesterday a brother shared about 'God is love' and that followers of Jesus Christ should love one another (1 John 4:7-12).
"The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell," as one song puts it. It goes beyond all our imagination. God's love is giving, sacrificial, and enduring. This is why we can begin and continue to abound in it. We will never run out of gaining knowledge and depth of insight into God's love and how it has blessed us in the here and now and will continue into eternity.
Where and how do we discover this knowledge? Knowledge of God and His ways flood the pages of Scripture. Reading God's Word and hiding it in our hearts is a big step in gaining this knowledge of God's love. Trusting Him and obeying Him is the 'how' that carries the impact.
Our 'depth of insight' will deepen as we do, living holy lives,
"discerning what is best" (vs 10)and to be
"pure and blameless" (vs 10).
For how long?...
"until the day of Christ."
As we discover more of God's love, we can then begin to love Him more. That sharing brother said, its "a two-way street". We love God because He first loved us ( 1 John 4:19).
We can then turn this love towards others. An application of this is to be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. That is, supporting others in mission work even going personally to do so. It may be going to an area that is already nominally Christian, to encourage the pastor and spiritual leaders in the area. Also to give whatever would be helpful to the church or assembly either in spiritual. physical and/or financial currency.
The words that caught my attention when coupled with "for the day of Christ," are the words 'remain' and 'continue'. Drop down to verse 25 to see them.
"I know that I will remain and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith."
Paul made a determined choice; he wrote,
"I will,"
twice. He would remain and continue. He didn't want to do it by himself though. He wanted to partnership with the Philippians. He told them,
"I will remain and continue with all of you..."
Isn't that precious! What encouragement and support especially as they were going through tough times. Even in such times he didn't want them to be stagnant in their faith. He wanted progress and joy for him and them.
Talk about showing God's love in action! This prayer is a powerful example.
My parents and that couple are all with Christ now in glory. I felt really sad for this loss in general and even for the prayer covering loss. I felt adrift. Yet, the Lord reminded me of Jesus' prayer for His disciples as seen in John 17. Furthermore, He declared,
"My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message..." (John 17:20 NIV).
Don't you just love this!? It's great!
If we are to love as God did and as Jesus did and does, we will love others as He has done in the past and is still doing at present, until He comes. Let us each remain and continue in God's love and also reach out to others.
The least we can do is pray for them.
~ERC January 2023~
Based on Philippians 1:9-11 and 25; John 17:20 NIV.
Sing, Abide With Me, along with Matt Redman and The Mission, along with Steve Green.
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