I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11 NLT
Sometimes God puts a friend on my mind and I presume I am to pray for them. Often my prayers for them are honestly a bit shallow. The apostle Paul reminds me what really matters (love and righteous character). The Westminster Confession and Shorter Catechism says that ‘the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever’. To do so, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, is perfecting us- He is transforming our character and making us more like Jesus in word, thought, and deed. We must become practically righteous to match the positional righteousness that God has imputed to us. We should start praying for this along with all the other prayers we pray.
Who in my circle of friends is in need of particular spiritual growth? What challenge or trial are they facing? What display of love from me, could release a display of love in them?
God, as this day begins- I am praying for my closest friends with whom I surf. Would you complete the wonderful work of righteous character in Vince, Charlie, JR, Tom, Jerry-O, Doug T. and Joe. These men are outstanding in so many ways. Let them shine in the lives of their families with an overflow of love and reflection of Jesus’ righteousness. And, O Lord, do your work in me as well.
