And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent and pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Paul thanks God for the Philippians and then he prays for them. He offers a prayer of thanksgiving for them and then a prayer of supplication. Since he had been their spiritual mentor, he prays that their ability to love will abound or multiply and continue to grow. Then, he describes the way he wants their love to grow.

He prays that they grow in knowledge and discernment. You can’t just treat everyone the same; you have to know the person and discern in situations what is best. Paul prays they will grow in love and in knowing how to love. Then, he prays that the Philippians will be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which come through Christ Jesus. He prays for their character that they will become more like Christ. The fruits of righteousness are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control.

Thank God today for someone you have mentored or in whom you have invested time and energy. Thank God for the opportunity to pass on what you know to others. After your prayer, write an e-mail, a text, or an actual letter to let him or her know about your prayer of gratitude.