“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His (calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might “ Ephesians 1:15-19
What is one of the greatest things you can pray for someone? I believe it is for them to know God…not know about him but know him. Many people know my husband, David. He coaches Little League, he is involved in our church, he runs a small company and if I went anywhere in our old home town, lots of people would say they know him. But they really don’t KNOW him like I do. We have spent 28 years together…23 of them married and 5 dating. I KNOW him…I know for example that he loves chicken and dumplings, I know his favorite movie is “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”. I know when he hit his first home run, what makes him cry, what his secret aspiration is and so many other wonderful details that make David ... David.
The focus of this prayer is the same…in a sort of way…Paul’s greatest desire for the people at the church in Ephesus is for them to “know” Jesus Christ.
He begins this prayer affirming that this prayer is for believers. He says “Having heard of the faith of the Lord Jesus which exists among you”. Being a Christian does not exempt you from suffering, wavering or doubting. It is then, most important, that we come alongside those who maybe weakening and pray for them. When my kids were younger and they were just getting to know God, they had questions…they were very young in their faith. Praying that God would reveal more and more of Himself was a common prayer for me. I still pray that for them. In this prayer Paul is focused on three things: For them to have a fuller knowledge of God, a deeper understanding of their salvation and and awareness of the power available to them to live their calling through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I noticed it says “do not cease giving thanks for you, while mention of you in my prayers”. Some translations say “mentioning you by name”. Paul made this prayer very personal. He knew each recipient of this letter. He prays that “their eyes of their heart may be enlightened” He wants God to open their eyes to see all that has been secured and given to them…hope, riches and power.
First the hope of their calling….hope in Scripture is never “pie-in-the-sky” hope as if it may happen. But hope is always secure and anchored because it is in the work of Jesus Christ. So it is not a “I hope it works out” but instead is I am assured and convinced that this is your calling. God purposed it, brought it about and will achieve it. Would that be a great way to pray for someone who is uncertain of their job, ministry or place in life?
Second is the riches of their inheritance. When we are saved we are adopted into the family of God. All that is the Son’s we partake in. In salvation we become heirs! There is a scope of great blessings God has for us. It may look like we have nothing or we may feel like we have nothing…but our great hope (the work of Jesus Christ) assures us of a wealth of blessings. Some of us may look like paupers but we are co-heirs of God's kingdom! He has given us NOW everything we need for a life that is set apart for Him.
What is one of the greatest things you can pray for someone? I believe it is for them to know God…not know about him but know him. Many people know my husband, David. He coaches Little League, he is involved in our church, he runs a small company and if I went anywhere in our old home town, lots of people would say they know him. But they really don’t KNOW him like I do. We have spent 28 years together…23 of them married and 5 dating. I KNOW him…I know for example that he loves chicken and dumplings, I know his favorite movie is “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly”. I know when he hit his first home run, what makes him cry, what his secret aspiration is and so many other wonderful details that make David ... David.
The focus of this prayer is the same…in a sort of way…Paul’s greatest desire for the people at the church in Ephesus is for them to “know” Jesus Christ.
He begins this prayer affirming that this prayer is for believers. He says “Having heard of the faith of the Lord Jesus which exists among you”. Being a Christian does not exempt you from suffering, wavering or doubting. It is then, most important, that we come alongside those who maybe weakening and pray for them. When my kids were younger and they were just getting to know God, they had questions…they were very young in their faith. Praying that God would reveal more and more of Himself was a common prayer for me. I still pray that for them. In this prayer Paul is focused on three things: For them to have a fuller knowledge of God, a deeper understanding of their salvation and and awareness of the power available to them to live their calling through the Lord Jesus Christ.
I noticed it says “do not cease giving thanks for you, while mention of you in my prayers”. Some translations say “mentioning you by name”. Paul made this prayer very personal. He knew each recipient of this letter. He prays that “their eyes of their heart may be enlightened” He wants God to open their eyes to see all that has been secured and given to them…hope, riches and power.
First the hope of their calling….hope in Scripture is never “pie-in-the-sky” hope as if it may happen. But hope is always secure and anchored because it is in the work of Jesus Christ. So it is not a “I hope it works out” but instead is I am assured and convinced that this is your calling. God purposed it, brought it about and will achieve it. Would that be a great way to pray for someone who is uncertain of their job, ministry or place in life?
Second is the riches of their inheritance. When we are saved we are adopted into the family of God. All that is the Son’s we partake in. In salvation we become heirs! There is a scope of great blessings God has for us. It may look like we have nothing or we may feel like we have nothing…but our great hope (the work of Jesus Christ) assures us of a wealth of blessings. Some of us may look like paupers but we are co-heirs of God's kingdom! He has given us NOW everything we need for a life that is set apart for Him.
Dr. James Montgomery Boice says “Some critics charge that a concern for what is to come make Christians of little earthly use. The opposite is the case. We know what we are to become and therefore we live differently here. It is the citizens of heaven who make the greatest difference on earth” Expositional Commentary on Ephesians.
Some of the blessings we have know are prayer, Christian fellowship, the study of his Word, worship. But how much more will we have in heaven…we will have the fullness of his Word, the fullness of Him in fellowship and so much more.
Third the power given to those who believe. Just think, that same power that brought Christ out of the grave is the same power that lives in us today! The same power that saves us is the same power that keeps us and sanctifies us and will one day usher us into glory! Most of us live in a “half-empty” mentality…the glass is not even half-full it is overflowing! What an encouraging way to pray for someone feeling defeated and weak...pray for their recharge and power-boost!
What a wonderful triple-tier prayer! More knowledge of him, more understanding of the great blessings here and to come and then more appropriation of His power. That word "power" in the Greek is where we get the word dynamite! We have available to us power to break emotional chains, power to diffuse fear, power to accomplish the work-load for the day, power to face tragedy and power to carry us through suffering.
Praying like this goes right to the source…God Himself. It is not just an intellectual understanding of Him but a personal, lived-out, longed-for and lasting relationship where we can know Him intimately.
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of all wisdom…who is like you? Who spread out His hand and told the waters where to stop? Who placed every star and named it? You are majestic…powerful…all knowing. And Lord Jesus, I pray for Jessy, Hannah, Kaity, Josh and David….that they may know you deeper and deeper. That they may understand fully the joy of their calling and the full equipping you have provided. That they would not grow weary but finish so your great name would be glorified. Give them wisdom beyond their years so that they may walk worthy your calling. Guide them, protect them so that they would be diligent in study and understanding. Give them a longing for heaven and a steadfastness to serve you here on earth. Thank you for them!
Amen
Some of the blessings we have know are prayer, Christian fellowship, the study of his Word, worship. But how much more will we have in heaven…we will have the fullness of his Word, the fullness of Him in fellowship and so much more.
Third the power given to those who believe. Just think, that same power that brought Christ out of the grave is the same power that lives in us today! The same power that saves us is the same power that keeps us and sanctifies us and will one day usher us into glory! Most of us live in a “half-empty” mentality…the glass is not even half-full it is overflowing! What an encouraging way to pray for someone feeling defeated and weak...pray for their recharge and power-boost!
What a wonderful triple-tier prayer! More knowledge of him, more understanding of the great blessings here and to come and then more appropriation of His power. That word "power" in the Greek is where we get the word dynamite! We have available to us power to break emotional chains, power to diffuse fear, power to accomplish the work-load for the day, power to face tragedy and power to carry us through suffering.
Praying like this goes right to the source…God Himself. It is not just an intellectual understanding of Him but a personal, lived-out, longed-for and lasting relationship where we can know Him intimately.
Heavenly Father,
You are the source of all wisdom…who is like you? Who spread out His hand and told the waters where to stop? Who placed every star and named it? You are majestic…powerful…all knowing. And Lord Jesus, I pray for Jessy, Hannah, Kaity, Josh and David….that they may know you deeper and deeper. That they may understand fully the joy of their calling and the full equipping you have provided. That they would not grow weary but finish so your great name would be glorified. Give them wisdom beyond their years so that they may walk worthy your calling. Guide them, protect them so that they would be diligent in study and understanding. Give them a longing for heaven and a steadfastness to serve you here on earth. Thank you for them!
Amen
2 comments:
I have been so blessed and encouraged by these messages on prayer! Thank you , my dear sister!...
Love you, Lynda
Thanks for the encouragement to pray using scripture. I appreciate your taking the time to write out examples of this good practice.
See you at momsofgrace.net!
Much love,
SJA
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