089 Ephesians: Praying Below the Surface
Most of the time we pray on what might be considered “felt need” prayers. We’re facing a crisis, we have practical needs, we’re trying to cope, so we pray. We ask God to intervene.
But have you ever considered that there could be a whole other level to our prayers? The Apostle Paul certainly thought so, and the prayer we find in Ephesians 1:15-23 demonstrates that.
As we look at this prayer, we need to understand that:
· What Paul is longing for in this people, God is longing for in us.
· What Paul is praying for this people, we ought to pray for others.
There is so much to dig into in this prayer, but for now, let’s break this prayer down into three simple parts.
1. The apostle prayed that these everyday saints might come to understand…the wonder of God’s person.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (vs. 17)
People who know their God have a holy boldness that nothing and no one can defeat or deflect. They have a quiet confidence notwithstanding their circumstances.
2. The apostle prayed that they come to understand…the wisdom of God’s plans.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” (vs. 18)
God has plans for you. Yes, plans for heaven one day. But God also has plans for you here and now, and those plans are not only for His glory but for your good.
3. The apostle prays that they would grasp…the wealth of God’s power.
“…and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (vs. 19a)
Notice that Paul doesn’t ask the Ephesians to pray that God will give them this power, but that they would live in light of the power they already have.
What would it be like if you began to pray this for yourself and for others in the months ahead? What if we devoted ourselves to praying below the surface?
One of the easiest ways is to take these verses and just fill in the blank with the name of the person you’re praying for.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give _________ the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that _________ may know Him better.
"I pray that the eyes of _________ heart may be enlightened in order that _________ may know the hope to which He has called ________...
"…and His incomparably great power for _________ who believes…"
Here are other passages you can pray for yourself and others.
Romans 15:5-6
Romans 15:13
Ephesians 1:17
Ephesians 1:18-19
Philippians 1:9-10
Colossians 1:9-10
I Thessalonians 5:23
Philemon 6
Download “Below the Surface Prayers” HERE
Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
Originally recorded on January 24, 2016, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.