And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. – Philippians 1:9

In our verse for today, the Apostle Paul expresses his heartfelt desire for the Philippians, that their love would overflow with insight and understanding. Paul knew that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that requires intentional growth and cultivation. He prayed that their love would be informed by knowledge and guided by discernment, so that they might navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and compassion.

As believers, we are called to love like Jesus – with depth, nuance, and intentionality. But how often do we settle for superficial expressions of love, lacking the depth and insight that Paul prayed for? We may feel strongly about certain issues or people, but do we take the time to understand the complexities and nuances involved? Do we seek to inform our love with knowledge and discernment, or do we rely on emotions and instincts alone? Paul’s prayer reminds us that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that requires effort, study, and prayer.

May we take Paul’s prayer to heart, and ask God to increase our love with knowledge and discernment. May we seek to understand the world around us, and to love others with the wisdom and compassion that comes from above. As we grow in our understanding of God’s love, may our own love abound more and more, reflecting the character of Christ to a world in need. Let us pray that our love would be a love that knows, and that our knowledge would be a knowledge that loves.