praying effectively: Be Sincere and Blameless (Phil.1:4-11)

(Philippians 1:4-11)  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that our love may abound more and more (1:9)

- that our love may abound in real knowledge of God and His will (1:9)

- that our love may abound in discernment, knowing how to appropriately apply God's will (1:9)

- that we are able to agree with and live out the things that are excellent (1:10) 

- that  we strive to be sincere in our walk with God, and with everything we say and do (1:10)

- that we strive towards living a holy and righteous life (1:10)

- that everything we do and say is to the glory and praise of God (1:11)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your word and for Your guidance.  Guide us and help us to grow in the knowledge of You and Your will.  Give us the desire to continue maturing in our walk with You.

Thank You for Your love.  Guide us and help us to grow in Your love.  Give us wisdom in knowing how to appropriately apply Your love.  Continue working on us, changing us from the inside out, so that we will live in Your righteousness, in all sincerity, all to Your glory and praise.  Amen.