Superlative Supplication

When we pray for the growth of fellow believers,

Are our prayers boldly superlative or mundane?

Do we pray for showers of what God wants to give,

Or do we content ourselves with light rain?

God is able to do beyond all we desire,

But we ask so little in his name.

Pray that your friends will be filled to the brim

With his Spirit and never be the same.

“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 until the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ –

to the glory and praise of God.”

Philippians 1:9-11

pĕrissĕuō⁴⁰⁵² – to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (trans.) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).

plĕrŏō⁴¹³⁷ – to make replete, i.e. (lit.) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish ( a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, and, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

            When Paul asked God for something, he used superlatives. He prayed expecting God to answer to the fullest. One reason he could do this was he knew he was praying for things the Lord wanted to do. He was praying within the will of God.

            We know God wants our Christian friends and relatives to grow in their relationship with him and to honor him in all that they do. So, let’s pray boldly that he will enable them to do so! Dare we pray like this for our children, both biological and spiritual? It’s amazing that we do not. So often our prayers are watered down. Pray for huge things believing that God is able to do them. Then wait expectantly to see how he answers. It may not be the way we envision it, but he will answer in his own time, in his perfect way.

            Father, I pray that you will fill the children you have so graciously given me with your love until they overflow. As they grow in their relationship with Jesus, develop their discernment that they may remain pure. Let the fruit of Christ’s righteousness be extremely evident in their lives. I pray that their lives and my own would bring glory and praise to you since it is only by your power that we can do any good thing. Thank you for redeeming us, and thank you for continuing your work in us until the day of Christ Jesus.