“How is the indwelling Spirit not relational?” – David Crabtree

Praying Paul – Paul Prays for the Ephesian Believers – Part 2

Ephesians 3 is a wonderfully powerful chapter. In the first part of the chapter Paul makes an amazing announcement. He says that he has been granted new revelation, revelation that has not been available until then. He says that he, and the other apostles and prophets, have been granted fresh revelation about the “mystery of Christ” and the “administration of Grace.” (Eph 3:1-9)

A new era had arrived, and it is known as the Government of Grace, the New Covenant in which the gathered believers (the Church) would have authority to declare to Heavenly Realms that Gentiles are now on an equal footing, which all the same privileges, as Jews, AND, we all can approach God with freedom and confidence. 

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. – Ephesians 3:10-12

Brilliant! What great news and a powerful positioning of God’s people. Then Paul goes on to pray that believers will be able to live effectively and powerfully in rich faith and knowledge.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:14-21

This is an amazingly comprehensive and powerful (there, I use that word again!) prayer. No doubt that Paul expected his prayer to be effective. 

ACTION:

Ponder, Pray, then Worship

Consider carefully the content of this prayer, then go before God and pray it in the first person. ie. changing “you” to “I” and “us” to “me”.

Have expectation and faith that God will indeed answer that prayer on your behalf. Spending time each day expressing this prayer and worship will most certainly renew our minds.

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