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Paul's Prayer - Ephesians 3
Paul's Prayer – Ephesians 3
Paul bowed his knee unto the Father (3:14). This simply was a way of saying that he prayed unto God. Paul did so with confidence in God’s ability and willingness to ‘do abundantly, above all that we might ask or think (vs. 20). Unlike many prayers today, Paul’s thoughts center not upon the worldly, materialistic aspect of believer’s lives, but upon their spiritual connection with God through Jesus.
Strengthened -
Ephesians 1:19 — 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
Ephesians 6:10 — 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Colossians 1:11 — 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
Rooted and Grounded in LOVE
Two greatest commandments: Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love your neighbor as yourself. This is to be the foundation of our character. We are to be rooted and grounded in such love.
We then are to comprehend and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge.
This comes from reading - 3:3-5
In 1st century, this was done by the continual and dedicated public reading of these letters to believers as they gathered together.
This is commanded – we are to NOT be ignorant -
Ephesians 5:17 — 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
We are to let the word DWELL IN US RICHLY -
Colossians 3:16 — 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Thus we are to be filled with all the fullness of God. We are said to be ‘filled with' many different spiritual things. Often, ‘that which we are ‘filled with’ is that which governs and controls us. This can be seen in the following verses:
- Filled with new wine – drunk - Acts 2:13,
- Filled with anger / wrath - Luke 4:28; 6:11;
- Filled with jealousy - Acts 5:17; 13:45
- Filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness… Rom. 1:29
- Filled with the knowledge of God’s will - Col. 1:9, Rom. 15:14
- Filled with the Spirit - Luke 1:15, 41, 67; Eph. 5:18
As God's people we then are to be filled with the fullness of God… Eph. 3:19
It is good to pray for our physical condition in this world, but of even more importance is our spiritual relationship with God. Jesus asked: what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Truly, our prayers should emphasize our spiritual condition. Hugh DeLong
