“And this is my prayer…”

That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

(Philippians 1:9–11)

A few observations.

1. Paul’s prayer does not involve mere maintenance of the Christian faith, but maturity in all its vigor. No compromise!
2. So many pastors are caught up in endless activism, surrounding themselves with church “ministry” and this business is viewed as maturity. Yet, here we can learn a great deal about a pastor’s spiritual priorities in prayer. How is your pastor doing in this area?
3. In our age where discretion between alternatives is not only missing, but virtually impossible due to a denial of absolute truth, we must be a people whose choices are derived from what is best and not merely what is good. How are you doing in this area?
4. Do you pray for your family members and fellow believers to know and choose what is best for them?
5. What really counts in your life? Relative financial and material comfort in retirement? Peace among the nations? Feeling good about yourself? What do you pray for? Compare your prayer list with the catalog of Paul’s prayers (Rom. 1:8-10; 10:1; 15:5-6; 2 Cor. 13:7-9; Eph. 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philip. 1:3-11; Col. 1:3-14; Ph. 4-7) and note that:
   1. He always prayed that God would work in and through circumstances; not merely change them.
   2. Paul’s focus in prayer was primarily for others, not for himself.