Phil 1:9-11

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

If you want to know how to pray for those you love, Paul gives you a great example in this passage. 

He prays that their love will abound (thrive – grow – flourish – increase),  but that love must have some boundaries.  A fire is good until it rages out of control.  Love is good, but it also needs some control.  Love needs the boundary of knowledge and discernment.  Why?  Because you can focus your love on the wrong things.  To have the right focus, you need to increase your knowledge of the perfect Word of God.  “Depth of insight” means you gain understanding of God’s Word so you can correctly apply it in your life.  I’m proud of you for taking the challenge to spend a few minutes each day during our “REFUEL” Series to read the book of Philippians.  Make it a regular habit to read and grow in your knowledge of God’s Word, but remember that knowledge without application is deceptive and of no value (James 1:22-25).

Paul also prayed that they would make wise choices; “able to discern what is best”.  I consistently pray for my family to make wise choices; if they do, they’ll be more likely to remain pure and blameless.  To remain pure and blameless means confessing & repenting of sin in their lives, not falling into sinful habits, and not causing others to fall into sin. 

Even though my children are adults, when they make wise choices it brings me joy.  When new believers at our church begin to grow in their love and knowledge and are able to discern what’s best so that they make wise choices – it brings me joy.  When God’s children make wise choices, I believe it brings Him joy.  So let’s give Him plenty of reasons to rejoice!