Effective prayer has been a frequent consideration of mine for the past several months and I have been wanting to write on this passage for quite some time now. I am fascinated by the genuine and pure heart of Paul when he prays for the early churches that he ministers to. I pray that we might all grow in understanding of how to pray, what to pray for, and the expectancy to see God answer our prayers.
Ephesians 1:15-19
"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might..."
The first thing that strikes me from this passage is that Paul gives thanks to God for the faithful body of believers at Ephesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Paul consistently models the idea of giving thanks in all circumstances. He knew that all things were working for the good of those who love God and was aware of how his personal sufferings were being used to grow the kingdom and grow Paul in the image of Christ. In the same way, we should always pray with thanksgiving knowing that God will see the good work He has started in our lives on to completion!
Paul next prays that God would give the people a "spirit of wisdom and revelation" and "the eyes of your hearts enlightened." This spirit of wisdom and heart of openness to God's Word is essential for the three things that Paul specifically prays for the people of Ephesus. If God does not give this spirit and this heart, the things of God appear as folly rather than life transforming.
Hope:
The first prayer request is that the people may know "what is the hope to which He has called you." In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter calls that hope "the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." God has called us to be heirs with Christ! There is no hope that compares to the hope of eternal life in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Let's do our best to remember that and ask God to grow that hope in ourselves and each other.
Riches:
The second request of Paul is that the Ephesians know "what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." The first half of Ephesians chapter 1 is spent detailing some of these riches. Verse 4 tells us that God chose us to be holy and blameless before Him. Paul continues in verse 5 to say that we were predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. All who walk by faith and not by sight are children of God through Jesus Christ! Paul goes on to say that we are redeemed by Christ's blood, forgiven of our trespasses and ultimately united with all creation under Almighty God. Talk about riches! How can we be sure that these promised riches are ours? God has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell with us and in us until the day we aquire possession of our promised inheritance. Let none of us think that we are poor who are in Christ!
Power:
The third prayer request of Paul is that the Ephesians may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe." The rest of the chapter is spent explaining God's awesome power. He raised Christ from the dead. He seated Christ at His right hand above all rule and authority. He put all creation under Christ's feet and gave Christ the church. Paul will continue for most all of Ephesians to discuss the power of God. He talks of the good works which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them. He says that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we could ask for. Paul writes of being the very least of the saints but being made of great use by God. In 1 Corinthians 1:27 Paul writes, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." It is also said that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness. The power of God can be called upon by all of us in ways that we cannot even imagine. Lord, may we possess your power and begin to understand how immense it really is!
I'm amazed at the enormity of Paul's prayers throughout Scripture. He seeks with boldness the power of God to transform the lives of His people. His selfless prayers are a model for all of us. I'm thrilled to know that, just like Paul, I have the opportunity and privilege of asking God for these same things. I pray that we can all be faithful in asking God and waiting with expectancy to see Him move in and through us for the glory of His name!
Ephesians 1:15-19
"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might..."
The first thing that strikes me from this passage is that Paul gives thanks to God for the faithful body of believers at Ephesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Paul consistently models the idea of giving thanks in all circumstances. He knew that all things were working for the good of those who love God and was aware of how his personal sufferings were being used to grow the kingdom and grow Paul in the image of Christ. In the same way, we should always pray with thanksgiving knowing that God will see the good work He has started in our lives on to completion!
Paul next prays that God would give the people a "spirit of wisdom and revelation" and "the eyes of your hearts enlightened." This spirit of wisdom and heart of openness to God's Word is essential for the three things that Paul specifically prays for the people of Ephesus. If God does not give this spirit and this heart, the things of God appear as folly rather than life transforming.
Hope:
The first prayer request is that the people may know "what is the hope to which He has called you." In 1 Peter 1:13, Peter calls that hope "the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." God has called us to be heirs with Christ! There is no hope that compares to the hope of eternal life in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Let's do our best to remember that and ask God to grow that hope in ourselves and each other.
Riches:
The second request of Paul is that the Ephesians know "what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." The first half of Ephesians chapter 1 is spent detailing some of these riches. Verse 4 tells us that God chose us to be holy and blameless before Him. Paul continues in verse 5 to say that we were predestined to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ. All who walk by faith and not by sight are children of God through Jesus Christ! Paul goes on to say that we are redeemed by Christ's blood, forgiven of our trespasses and ultimately united with all creation under Almighty God. Talk about riches! How can we be sure that these promised riches are ours? God has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell with us and in us until the day we aquire possession of our promised inheritance. Let none of us think that we are poor who are in Christ!
Power:
The third prayer request of Paul is that the Ephesians may know "what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe." The rest of the chapter is spent explaining God's awesome power. He raised Christ from the dead. He seated Christ at His right hand above all rule and authority. He put all creation under Christ's feet and gave Christ the church. Paul will continue for most all of Ephesians to discuss the power of God. He talks of the good works which God prepared in advance that we should walk in them. He says that God is able to do far more abundantly than all we could ask for. Paul writes of being the very least of the saints but being made of great use by God. In 1 Corinthians 1:27 Paul writes, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." It is also said that God's strength is made perfect in my weakness. The power of God can be called upon by all of us in ways that we cannot even imagine. Lord, may we possess your power and begin to understand how immense it really is!
I'm amazed at the enormity of Paul's prayers throughout Scripture. He seeks with boldness the power of God to transform the lives of His people. His selfless prayers are a model for all of us. I'm thrilled to know that, just like Paul, I have the opportunity and privilege of asking God for these same things. I pray that we can all be faithful in asking God and waiting with expectancy to see Him move in and through us for the glory of His name!
Love it! You have some really great things to say Matt. As you know I feel very called to pray for my students, so I found this one especially encouraging and I will look into it more.
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