Yesterday Ephesians 3:14-21 reminded us of the resources behind our prayers -- "according to the riches of His glory." Today, I am taking a look at the requests Paul makes in his prayers for the Ephesians. They are a model for us to follow when praying for family, friends, ministry colleagues, and any brother or sister in Christ.
The Requests in Prayer
- 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" (v. 16)
- In order to be strengthened I must surrender to God's spirit. I must listen carefully for His direction and the result will be a divinely directed life and a divinely protected life that is strengthened inwardly for the spiritual battle.
- I am praying that you will be properly RELATED to Christ -- "that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (v. 17)
- I can pray that Christ will be at home in my heart and in the hearts of those for whom I pray. Sometimes I can be in a place where I don't feel welcome, but may it never be that Christ is not a honored and welcomed guest in my heart.
- 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)
- So often when things don't go our way we are tempted to doubt God's love and call His character into question. If only we could comprehend the depth of His love for us in every situation!
- I am praying that you will be RULED by God's character -- "that you will be filled with all the fullness of God" (v. 19)
- When a person is filled with rage or anger, they are under the control of that emotion. To be filled with the Spirit is to be under His control, and to be filled with all the fullness of God is to be under His direction and control.
- I am praying that your life will REVEAL God's power -- that you might experience God's power in you "to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that you ask or think" (v. 20)
- How different our lives would be if they reflected God's power rather than merely our own strength. I can pray that I and others for whom I pray will be dependent upon God and always careful to praise Him for what He does rather than to foolishly believe I made it happen.
- I am praying that your life will RESULT in God's glory -- that your life will be "to His glory in the church to all generations" (v. 21)
- If these requests are fulfilled in my life, it will be a life lived for the glory of God and it will impact generations.
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