I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 1:6)

He was a plain-spoken mountain man, and his weathered face bespoke the storms that had swept over his life throughout the years. He was facing health problems and questions about the future of his family. After speaking with him one day, I offered the assurance that I would be praying for him. He responded by saying, “Well, Preacher, that’s good. But if you’re gonna be a-prayin’ for me, I’d like to know what you’re a-prayin’ for!”

Suddenly a routine conversation became a serious question of faith. I had to stop and think – now just what would I pray for this man in his situation? 

A prayer of thanks (vv. 1-4)

We like to think that others hold us in their thoughts. It’s encouraging when someone says, “I’m praying for you.” But it can mean even more when someone says, “I’m praying for you to be strong this week,” or “I will be praying for you to think clearly as you work,” or “I’m praying for you to know God’s comfort as you experience this first Christmas without your mother.” Somehow, the promise of a specific prayer suggests an extra measure of care and concern.

That is what we find in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, a Roman colony named for Philip of Macedon. The city served as a strategic outpost that guarded the land bridge between Greece and Asia, as well as the valuable gold mines of nearby Mount Pangaeus. 

Paul had first visited the city in the company of Silvanus, Timothy, and Luke during his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1-40). [DD] 

After identifying himself in typical fashion, Paul addressed the epistle to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (v. 1). Calling out the “bishops and deacons” was unusual and the reason for it is uncertain. The presence of multiple designated leaders, however, suggests that the church had grown substantially in Paul’s absence. 

After his standard blessing of grace and peace (v. 2), Paul assured the church of his love and gratitude for them (vv. 3-4). Paul knew the power of a positive word. More than once, I’ve felt the warm boost that comes when someone says, “I’m thankful for you.” We would all do well to remember those who make a difference in our lives or the world, and to offer them the blessing of telling them that we are thankful for who they are and what they do. 

A prayer of confidence (vv. 5-8)

Paul gave thanks for the way the Philippians had shared in his ministry (v. 5), and he expressed confidence that they would continue to remain faithful to God’s work. Words of assurance, like expressions of thanksgiving, can bring needed encouragement to others. 

Students sometimes despair of completing their education, on whatever level. When family or faculty members convey confidence that struggling students have the ability and the wherewithal to stay the course, it can bolster their commitment as well as their self-esteem. “I am confident of this,” Paul wrote, “that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (v. 6). 

Philippian believers needed all the encouragement they could get. Life as a Christian in a thoroughly pagan city could have engendered considerable antagonism. They might face persecution, they might die, or Christ might return, but in all cases, Paul assured them that God would complete the work of salvation in their lives. 

Encouragement works both ways, and Paul was grateful for the knowledge that his Philippian friends cared for him, too. They had shared his burdens, supported his work, and encouraged him when imprisoned (vv. 7-8). Paul longed for their company, and he consoled himself with correspondence. Though physically absent, he could be spiritually present through prayers on their behalf. [DD]

A prayer for love (v. 9a)

After the warm introduction, Paul turned to exhortation and his primary prayer concerns. The church at Philippi appears to have had fewer internal problems than other early churches addressed in the New Testament. They had shown themselves to be generous, helping Paul while he was in prison. They had also aided poor Christians in Jerusalem in a time of famine, leading the way in collecting an offering for Paul to deliver during his final journey (4:15).

They were loving people, but Paul prayed that their love would continue to grow:

“And this is my prayer: that your love may overflow more and more. . .” (v. 9a).

The verb is in present tense, indicating ongoing action: “I am praying this. . ..” Paul prayed continually for his Philippian friends. He was confident that God had begun a good work in them and would bring it to completion so long as they continued to grow in love.

Paul knew, as we should know, that when love fails to grow, it will wither. Any living thing must grow or die. As long as we are striving to expand our hearts and find new ways to express our love, there is life and hope within us.

Paul’s language is emphatic. The verb he used for “abound” is an intense word. He then magnified its effect with the adverbs “more and more.” As we might expect, Paul used the word agapē for “love.” He understood that agapē love was not a natural virtue, but a gift that comes through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not the selfish love of this world, but the selfless love of Jesus.

The Philippians already had this kind of love in some measure, and they had demonstrated it time and again. Yet, Paul’s first prayer was that their love would grow and continually overflow. 

A prayer for discernment (vv. 9b-10a)

We’re familiar with the old saying that “love is blind,” and sometimes it is. Sometimes love can also be downright stupid, or easily misguided. That is why Paul also prayed that the church would grow to love wisely, with “knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best …” (vv. 9b-10a).

Many options for love are before us, but we cannot do every good thing that comes to mind. Some loving actions are more appropriate than others, but that is not always obvious. For parents, sometimes the most loving course is to discipline their children, even though it is also the most difficult path. For a church, there are times when the most loving response may not be the first ministry need that presents itself, and we must seek the best use of our time, energy, and funds.

So, Paul prays that his readers would not only grow in love, but in discernment of how they might love most effectively. Like the Philippians, we often have to choose between two or more good options, and we need wisdom to “approve the most excellent things.” 

Distinguishing between what is good and bad is rarely difficult. The challenge is in deciding between what is good and what is best. [DD]

In such situations, it is good to know someone else is praying for us to have wisdom and courage to make the best decision. The leading of the Spirit is easily confused with our own inner voice, and the two may not always be the same, so it is essential that prayer be part of the equation. [DD]

A prayer for righteousness (vv. 10b-11)

The natural result of growing in both love and wisdom is that we may become “pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God” (vv. 10b-11).

Paul was not describing a life that is sterile because it is free of sin, but a life that is dynamic because God is at work, leading the believer to produce a harvest of good fruit. This is not an empty life, but a full life – a life overflowing with love, clear thinking, and the kind of good works that bring glory to God. 

Such a life brings others to God, too, helping them to understand what true faith is about. Many people make claims of faith that are really reflections of culture. Paul wanted believers to have the discernment to demonstrate genuine faith. 

Paul was fond of agricultural metaphors because most people could understand them. To live a blameless life is not just overcoming bad habits, like keeping the weeds out of the garden, but developing helpful behaviors, producing “a harvest of righteousness.” Paul knew that a field of golden grain or a vineyard heavy with grapes would draw people to it. Likewise, a community of believers living out the love and joy of God will draw those who are spiritually hungry.

Our righteousness, then, has a greater purpose than moral purity. True godly living offers milk and manna to a spiritually malnourished world. Paul’s prayer reminded the Philippians of their responsibilities, and of his confidence that they would succeed in fulfilling them. He likewise believed that his intercessions could contribute to their success, and so he joyfully shared his prayer, bolstering their faith.

In the season of Advent, gifts are often on our mind. Many have already completed their Christmas shopping. Have we considered the gift of praying for our families and friends – and letting them know it? A brief but specific prayer in a card or tucked into a package could be the most valuable gift we offer this year.