Lord’s Day, Vol. 7 No. 1

Prayer for the New Year

Philippians 1:9-11.9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

As we begin the New Year, it is fitting that we consider how we can live it profitably and usefully before life loses its strength and we sit in regret of a wasted life.

The Apostle Paul writes with great affection concerning the spiritual well-being of the church in Philippi. How do you express concern for someone you love? The Apostle sets for us the example, he prays for them. And you will notice that his prayer for them expresses Christ’s heart for the well-being of the believer. He exhorts the church in 1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1 KJV)It is a prayer we can adopt for ourselves in our prayer for others. Also, this prayer gives the spiritual qualities that may be manifested in our lives that mark the milestones in our spiritual progress.

(1) Fervour (v9)

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

He prayed that God’s love may abound in the lives of the Philippian Christians. He sought not riches or worldly prosperity for them, but spiritual blessings. Christ’s love, that unconditional, sacrificial love be bestowed in abundance to the overflowing in their lives. It is my prayer and the prayer certainly of our pastoral adviser Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all judgment.

Your love will be guided by the knowledge of God’s Word that enables you to be discerning, to exercise proper judgment, that you may make godly decisions, what to do and what not to do in the New Year. There is a fervour of persevering obedience to the commandments of God. As one writer rightly observed, “Such a life will show the reality, not the pretence of belonging to Him, by loving His Book, His House, His Day, and His People.”

(2) Favour (v10)

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Let’s pray that we may find favour with God, to be found faithful at the day of reckoning when Christ would return to reward His servants. The word “approve” means “making an examination put to the test, examine, prove (by testing), scrutinize.” We must examine our lives and be accountable how we use our energies, our time and effort. May it be on things that are excellent, things that are pleasing to God. Our love must be a love that has knowledge and judgment. We must not waste our time and energy on those things that are not profitable.

To be sincere is to be true to the Christian character, without pretence but to love God and to love one another. The word means “pure” – having pure motivation – sincere, without hidden motives. Like unmixed metal, without alloy, pure. The word used here denotes the kind of trial to which metals are exposed in order to test their nature; and the sense here is, that the apostle wished them so to try the things that were of real value, as to discern that which was true and genuine. [Barnes]

How can we do so? The Apostle Paul gives the guideline in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The phrase “without offense” means “counted upright”. Where we have sinned, we must confess our sins and make right with God so that our conscience is clear, not stumbling, or not causing others to stumble.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

(3) Fructiferous – Bearing Fruit (v11)

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

 It is the Apostle’s prayer that the Philippians to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness” which are produced by the power of “Jesus Christ” working in us. The Holy Spirit enables the Lord Jesus Christ to do this for us, if we’re yielded to His will. “Being filled” speaks of God’s work in our lives, that He is working it out for us in our lives that we will not be fruitless but will bear fruit in its season. The “perfect” tense of the verb “filled” speaks of enduring fruit, fruit that will last for eternity. May the Lord help us. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee