The Prayers Of A Prisoner

We are still musing through the book of Philippians and Paul’s prison experiences. God changed his prison into a palace of praise. One of the ways He used to change the prison was through prayer. It is hard to tell when Paul is talking to us or talking to the Lord. His prayers are much like a conversation you would have with someone. His prayers are never for self but others. In verse 1:9 there is a prayer for abundance. Paul prays that their love might abound. There is no greater quality than love for God. It led John to write For God so loved the world that He gave… Anna Warner  was led to write Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. If one truly loves the Lord, Paul said it will produce in them , knowledge. The word means to know by experience. It is a word of intimacy between a husband and a wife. Love will also produce judgment. The word means discernment of the times.  Love never goes outside the boundary of discernment. It is never cold and calculating, but warm and giving. Love never violates the holiness of God. The more I love Him the more I will want to know Him and the more I know Him the more I will love Him. No wonder Paul prayed this prayer.