Philippians 1:3-11, A Prayer for Intelligent Love (3)

This prayer is both one of thanksgiving (1:3-8) and petition (1:9-11).  We have been in the “thanksgiving” section.  We didn’t say much about v7-8 but it is good to note Paul’s heart that is expressed in those verses.  It should not be uncommon for prayer to be deeply emotional.  We are, after all, engaged in conversation with God.  It’s a relationship.  So we talk to Him, and as with any friendship, there will be times that our conversations are filled with joy or agony or intensity.  We are not talking about working up emotions.  We are talking about subjects that are personal, and important, and urgent.  Remember Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane; there was agony that He felt.  His soul was troubled (Jn. 12:27).  But also note here, how Paul speaks of these people for whom he is thankful: I have you in my heart … I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.  As we turn now to the “petition” part of this prayer, we should remember that Paul made request for you all with joy. 

What requests does Paul present?

The basic request is this: that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.  But this is another of those prayers that we need to diagram, to understand the real desire Paul has for these believers.

This I pray

in order that your love may abound

still more and more

in knowledge and all discernment,

with the immediate outcome

that you may approve the things that are excellent

with the ultimate purpose

#1: that you may be sincere and without offense

till the day of Christ

#2: being filled with the fruits of righteousness

which are by Jesus Christ

achieving the goal of all things:

to the glory and praise of God.

Perhaps this is not completely helpful, so in the next post we want to propose a picture that makes sense to me in understanding what Paul is asking for from his God.  For now, what we see is a magnificent prayer.  What really drives Paul in this?  It is his own love for the believers AND for Jesus Christ.  He wants Jesus’ plan (to build His Church) to be fulfilled in Philippi; that’s how much He loved Jesus.  And he wants the Philippian believers to stand firm until the day of Christ.  That’s how much he loves them.  How much love to you have for Christ and His Church?  How intelligent is your love?