DECEMBER 5 PRAYER FOR GREAT LOVE By Justin Cousins Word of Life, Dean of Men and Basketball Coach
John 13:35 In many of Apostle Paul’s letters to churches or individuals, he begins with a prayer. What an encouraging thought that had to be for these people – to know the greatest missionary and church planter of the day was specifically praying for them.
In Philippians 1:9 we see Paul’s prayer for the people of Philippi:
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.”
Now, there are some key words in this prayer that pop off the page: love, knowledge and discernment. Notice, though, how Paul starts and anchors his prayer in the desire of love. He wants the people of Philippi to be known by their love. This is a similar desire we hear from Jesus when He says in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” In this culture, we are bombarded with the idea that knowledge is power. But Paul says, before growing in knowledge you must grow in love. A knowledge that outgrows our love will leave you looking more like the world than looking set apart. To feel we have greater knowledge than we do love creates a pharisaical heart that breeds superiority and pride instead of a heart full of grace and mercy. Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is one that rings true for us today: increase your love. This love believes all things, hopes all things and creates a unity among people. As your love increases, so will your knowledge and discernment for the things that are God-honoring.
Action Step: Pray this prayer for yourself and for one other person today: Lord, increase my/their love, knowledge and discernment. I pray that my/their love and knowledge will grow in step together.
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