But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
Just as a healthy tree produces good fruit, so, we as spirit filled Christians, can produce good spiritual fruit.
These verses in Galatians speak of the kind of fruit a follower of Jesus should be displaying in their life.
Matthew 7:15-20 says, “every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit”, and “by their fruits you will know them”.
We are known by our actions and our lives reflect our values.
Praying through scripture is a powerful way to claim God’s Word and absorb it into our lives.
As we pray through the Fruit of the Spirit we are inviting God to be at work in our lives, inviting the Holy Spirit to be actively working in us, and allowing God to make us more like Himself.
For those of us who are parents we can pray through these scriptures not just for ourselves, but also for our children, asking God to be at work in their lives as well.
LOVE
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 3:18
My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Lord, thank You that You love us and gave Your life for us. Help us to reflect Your love in our lives, to our family, and to everyone around us. Help us to be an example of Your lovingkindness in our actions as well as our words.
JOY
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Thank You Lord that we can find fullness of joy in Your presence. Help us to walk Your path for our lives, knowing Your presence with us, even through the tough times. May we be people of prayer, giving thanks to You in all things. We ask You Lord to be our joy and our strength.
PEACE
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Thank You Lord that Your peace is so great that it is beyond our understanding. We ask Lord that You would guard our hearts and protect our thoughts with Your peace. Thank You that we do not need to be afraid, help us to trust You in all circumstances of our lives.
PATIENCE
James 5:7-8
Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Thank You Lord for Your patience towards us. Help us Lord to demonstrate Your patience toward others. Help us to trust You with Your perfect plan for our lives, and to know that Your timing is perfect.
KINDNESS
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance.
Lord, we thank You for the kindness You have shown to us. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness demonstrated to us by Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Help us to be kind to one another with our words and our actions, and to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
GOODNESS
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Thank You Lord that You are good and that Your loving kindness endures forever! Teach us how to show Your goodness to others through our words and deeds. Help us to make good choices and to choose to do the right thing and bring glory to Your Name.
FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 100:5
For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.
Matthew 25:23
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Thank You Lord that You are faithful, and that we can count on You and trust in You. Help us to be faithful to You in our walk with You, and help us also to be faithful with what You have entrusted to us, our families, our relationships, our finances, our time, our jobs, our lives. May we be found steadfast and faithful in You and a good example to others of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
GENTLENESS
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Lord, help me to be gentle in my interactions with others. Thank You that You are gentle with me, and that despite my failures, You forgive me and accept me.
SELF-CONTROL
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Lord, help us to be strong and self-disciplined in all areas of life. Thank You that You are with us always, to strengthen and support us. Help us to turn to You during times of temptation and thank You that You have made a way of escape for us. May we run the race of life in a way that brings honor and glory to You and You holy Name.
As we reflect on the Fruit of the Spirit, and pray through each one, may the Holy Spirit be at work in us, molding us and making us more like Jesus, whom we love and serve. May our lives reflect to all around us the love and power of Jesus, and what it means to be a follower and a disciple of His.
