Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to pray for other believers. Yes, we pray for their needs and general health and protection, but there is so much more that they have need of – spiritual needs.

In the above verses, Paul the apostle mentions that when he prays for the Philippian Christians, that he makes four specific prayer requests for them. They are:

1. “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment”

Paul prayed that their love for Christ and for fellow believers would continue to grow. He prayed that it would grow more through Bible knowledge and personal (relationship) knowledge of Christ, and that their love would be applied to their discernment (“judgment”).

2. “That ye may approve things that are excellent”

The approving that Paul wants them to develop is the result of the application of proper discernment. Once you determine what the best things are to do and act upon from Scripture, you choose to focus on the best things and leave off the spiritually unprofitable things.

3. “that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ”

The word “sincere” means genuine – the real thing. Choose to be a real Christian – the Bible kind – the New Testament kind – not the wishy-washy types so often found today. The phrase “without offense” means that we do not offend Christ with compromising lifestyles, actions, or habits. He will one day judge us – so let us please Him in all we do.

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

God wants every believer to be like His Son – Jesus Christ. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit while on earth – and with God’s help – we should be also. All that Christ did, was done in righteousness and for God’s glory – not His own.

As you can see, praying these kinds of things for our fellow believers and pastors and missionaries will add a new dimension to your praying. Will you begin to add these things to your prayers as you bring those you pray for before God?

As a Christian, it is natural that you should want to understand the Bible better. Doing so can enable you to enjoy the Scriptures like David, who counted them more precious than gold. As he read and studied the Scriptures more and more, he declared: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103).

Understanding the Scriptures better opens the door to a much wider range of blessings – once they are applied to your life. When read and studied properly, the Biblical meanings of many verses are made clear and the Bible becomes more exciting – and “sweeter than honey.”

Before the Bible can be properly understood, a solid foundation of Bible doctrines needs to be laid. The right kind of foundation is based solely on the Word of God and not on the particular teaching of a denomination or opinion. It is the best way to learn the Bible and it will help you study the Bible in greater detail later on.

Having good Bible knowledge will enable you to be guided by the Lord more completely and and help you to discover the joy that David had because of a close fellowship with God. You will also start to enjoy greater victory over sin in your life.

Learn more about how to get my Bible study workbook for beginners by following this link and get started toward becoming a stronger believer in Christ.