I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!

Ephesians 3:14-21

14   For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15   from whom every family in heaven and earth derives its name.

16   that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,

to be strengthened with power through His spirit in the inner man

17  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18   may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth

19   and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

20   Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us,

21   to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.

“I am praying for you!”  We have all heard or said that many times.  Unfortunately they are sometimes words that roll off our lips rather than a rock solid commitment to lift up a brother or sister before the throne of grace.   Ephesians 3:14-21 is one of four times when Paul prays for believers.  It can be a model for our prayers as we learn and live the timeless truths of these verses.

v  The Resources Behind Prayer – “according to the riches of His glory” (v. 16).  Each year Forbes magazine publishes its list of the wealthiest people in the world.   In 2017, Microsoft's Bill Gates topped the list for the fourth year in a row and second and third were Warren Buffett and Jeff Bezos respectively.   Fortunately for these three, the fortune of Sam Walton was split three ways between Alice, Tom, and Jim Walton -- otherwise they would have dethroned and trailing badly.   

       The Greek language in this verse is very precise -- it says "according to" the riches of His glory.  The other construction would be "out of" the riches of His glory.  Suppose Bill Gates showed up at your home and announced he had decided to help you out financially with the cost of college education for your children.  You would be ecstatic; your problems would be solved; you would be set.  But wait, suppose he reached in his pocket and handed you $5.  Your disappointment would likely be hard to hide.  Why, because Bill Gates would have given to you "out of" his wealth -- that is, just a PORTION of his wealth.   On the other hand, had he given to you "according to" his wealth, his gift would be not just a portion of his wealth, but PROPORTIONATE to his wealth.   

       When we pray, we can pray "according to" the riches of His glory!   There is no limit!  He is all knowing, all powerful, and able to do "exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think."   It is possible to make an ask that even Bill Gates or Warren Buffett could not fulfill, but no such limitation exists with our heavenly Father.   He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He can do anything.   This assurance should embolden our prayers and encourage us to enter boldly into the throne room and ask for Him to do the seemingly impossible -- it is His specialty!

       More thoughts from this passage tomorrow, but for now, take a look at the requests in this prayer and pray!

v  The Requests in Prayer

Have you ever wondered how to pray for a friend or family member?   Today I can pray this prayer for every person I know, and know that I am praying in the will of God.

o   I am praying that you will be RESPONSIVE to the Spirit – “that you might be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (16)

o   I am praying that you will be properly RELATED to the Son – “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (17)

o   I am praying that you will REALIZE God’s love – “that you might be rooted and grounded in . . . and able to comprehend the love of Christ” (vv. 17,18)

o   I am praying that you will be RULED by God’s character – “that you will be filled up with all the fullness of God” (v. 19)

o   I am praying that your life will REVEAL God’s Power – that you might experience God’s power in you to do “exceeding abundantly beyond all that you ask or think” (v. 20)