Today is the 32nd day of Lent.
 
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the Book of Philippians chapter 1.     


Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, 
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 
 

A summary for this whole passage could be, “When you love someone with the love of Christ, you pray for them. Love is the motive and the fuel for prayer.” The Apostle Paul is praying for the church in the city of Philippi. He is overflowing with thanksgiving as he prays. Why? He says, “because I have you in my heart.” He says that he “longs for them with the affection of Jesus.”  
 
Can you identify with Paul’s words here? Think for a moment about someone that God has hidden away in your heart. Is there someone in your life that you long for with the affection of Jesus? Call that person to mind.  
 
What is it about that person that God has placed in your heart to pray for that person? As you hear Paul’s words again, try and pray Paul’s prayer over the person that God has hidden away in your heart. 
   
As we close our time today, don’t forget to pray for yourself. Pray that the good work that God began in you would be carried through to completion. Pray that your love may abound more and more and that you may be able to discern God’s best. And pray that you may be kept pure and blameless for the day of Christ.  
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.   
 
Music - Above All Else - Vineyard Soul - (YouTube)