Prayers of Paul

Ephesians 1:15-23 (Read it aloud, please.)

¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 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. ¹⁸ I pray also 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 the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In continuing our study on prayer this week, I chose this prayer of Paul for the Ephesian church. I hope you read and listen to it closely. Paul covers lots of territory and includes a variety of topics in this prayer which takes up nine verses of Ephesians 1.  Maybe when you were reading out loud, you discovered some new biblical truth or application.  Perhaps there was something in Paul's prayer that sparked an idea for improving your spiritual journey. And it could be that you, as a believer in Jesus, learned more about his attributes as they apply to your life. 

I chose this prayer today, simply as an example of how much we can learn and experience when we read and apply the prayers of the Bible. Somewhere in all of this we stand the chance of seeing how powerful prayer is, and how much of our spiritual need is unveiled through prayers that were prayed centuries ago. A good study for you to consider is one that is focused on the prayers of Paul. A good concordance will guide you to see them all. In reading them aloud, and in reading them over and over, it's amazing how many new things we can find in them. 

Paul prayed another prayer for the Ephesian folks. It is recorded in Ephesians 3:14-21.  Please read it, too, and read it aloud and see more of Paul's heart in the prayers he prayed. 

Sometime when you are feeling you need some guidance in prayer, spend a little time praying these two prayers that Paul prayed, and pray them specifically for your church family. I am wondering what would happen if everyone at church prayed these two prayers for the local congregation. 

My point today is simple. Prayer keeps us in right relationships with others in our church families. You have seen two prayers from Paul, but as you pray them word for word, then add the feelings of your heart for the work of the local church, its leaders, and every member. Prayer does bring us closer together, and God is glorified through the unity of his people. 

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