I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. (Philemon 1:6)
From prison, Paul prays for and writes to Philemon. The purpose of his prayers and his letter are layered, with reconciliation being primary. Here, Paul is praying for both a deepened personal understanding of life in Christ for Philemon and the effect his deepened understanding will have communally.
Our life in Christ is a life designed to be lived in community. In one of the best books on community, Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.”
Jesus says that the world will know of His love by the way we love each other. Pray for those who have wronged you. Pray for those who have inflicted wounds. Pray for those who have betrayed you. In praying, like Philemon, may our understanding be deepened “of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.”
Prayer Focus: Because of Kennedy
Let us know how can we be praying for you here!
