A Prayer of Purpose
February 5, 2020
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
Do you remember a time someone prayed for you? It’s a wonderful thing to have someone talk to God on your behalf. Paul’s prayer for his Philippian friends is a prayer of purpose and power. It is well worth praying for yourself and for the people God places on your heart.
For instance, maybe you would choose to pray for your dearly loved son. Maybe he’s not yet a believer, maybe he’s new in his faith, or maybe he’s a seasoned Christian. This prayer fits anyone at any stage of life.
Dear Father, I bring my son Zachary to You. I am so grateful he is my son. I ask you to fill his heart with love that will overflow more and more. May his life be defined by love. I pray that right now and for all of his life he will keep growing in knowledge and understanding. May he know You more and more. May he not simply gather information and store up knowledge, but may he truly understand the things he hears.
Most of all, help him understand what really matters. Clear away the distractions that masquerade as significant and help him focus on what lasts. Help him find his joy and purpose in living a life of purity. May he give Jesus the freedom to develop His very own character in him. May Zachary’s life bring You praise and glory all his days. Amen.
These are the developments God wants to help us see as we grow a new heart and purpose. You can fulfill that design yourself, and you can be integrally part of someone else’s growth.
- Who will be regularly in your prayers? Praying for their new heart and new purpose will help you grow in yours.