Have you ever wanted to pray for someone else but did not know exactly how to pray? Most of the time when we pray for people we either pray general prays (Lord, please be with…) or we pray for their health when they are sick. But how do we pray for people consistently as God desires.

I am grateful that Scripture provides us with some practical help in praying for people. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he allows us to peak inside his prayer life for the church at Philippi.

A little back story is that Paul did not have an easy time in Philippi. Acts 16 tells us when he visited Philippi he was arrested illegally, whipped, humiliated, thrown in prison. While in prison there was an earthquake. He was even asked to leave town. Needless to say that Paul did not have a good time in Philippi. Yet in Philippians 1, Paul says when I think of you I remember the good things. “I thank God every time I remember you.” Paul could have remembered the painful memories. He chose to focus on the things for which he could be grateful.

What do you pray when you pray?

I am so impressed with the prayer of Paul. He says, “I always pray for you with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1:3-5)

And then he provides four things to pray for people that are so practical that we can pray these for people everyday. You can pray these for people in your life and you can know that they’ll be answered because they are God’s will. They are in the Bible.

  1. Pray that they will grow in love. (v 9) “… abound in love …” means to overflow, like a tidal wave. It is worth noting that no object is mentioned. Paul does not say that the love for God may abound or our love for one another may abound. He leaves it open. Scripture teaches us that a growing love for God will be reflected in love for other believers. (SEE 1 John 5:1)
  2. Pray that they make wise choices. (v 9) “…with all knowledge and discernment…” What knowledge or insight? Paul is speaking about a knowledge and insight of God. He is not telling us to pray that people would memorize a verse of Scripture or teach a Bible study group or even go to seminary. There is a big difference knowing about God and knowing God. When you pray for people pray that they would make wise choices.
  3. Pray that they will do the right thing. (v 10) “… be pure and blameless…” or that they would have a clear conscience. Paul says I am praying that you will abound in love with knowledge and discernment and that all we do will be in obedience to the Savior.
    Paul desires that this church would become more and more discerning, proving in their own experience what is best for the gospel. Then he says “…so that you may approve…” Paul doesn’t want this church to settle for mediocrity. Paul is saying the church at Philippi cannot be satisfied in a lost and fallen world with the status quo. He is praying that they would be pure and blameless in every area of their lives as they do the right thing.
  4. Prays that they will live for God’s glory. (v 11) “… the fruit of righteousness.” Sadly there are times when people are more interested in the appearance of holiness or the reputation of righteousness. Paul says when you pray for people, ask God to empower them to live for His glory and not their own.

What have I missed? When you pray for people, how do you pray?