Intercession

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Paul's intercessory prayers for others always get right "to the bottom line." He prays that those he loves will have an always increasing--"abounding"--love that is always consistent with the guidelines of God's truth. What will be the impact on their lives if they are growing in love and truth? First, they will "approve the things that are excellent." Each day they will make choices that are not just good choices, but excellent choices. They will recognize and choose the absolute best way, the way filled with love and reflecting God's truth. Making those "excellent" choices will enable them to live lives of sincerity--lives of integrity not hypocrisy, and lives that are blameless. Who they are on the inside--a love-filled child of God committed to obedience--will be exactly who they are on the outside. They will daily reflect the transformation--the Christ-likeness--that the Spirit is working out in their lives--they will be "filled with the fruit of righteousness"--"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (By the way, is that your definition of righteousness?) What is the outcome of such a transformation--the right one--the excellent one--the "glory and praise of God." The fragrance of His presence will be evident in their lives, and God alone will get the praise He alone deserves for the beauty of their lives.
Is there ever a day when such intercession for those I love is not vital? Have you prayed that prayer today? And what about tomorrow? And the next day? And the next? And . . .