“For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 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. I pray 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:15-22 NIV
HOW TO STAY ROOTED THROUGH PRAYER
1. We need to know Who we are praying to
“The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,” Vs. 17
- The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6)
- The only God (Isaiah 43:10-11, 44b, 45:5a)
- The Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:15-22)
“What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” AW Tozer
2. We need to know what He wants us to pray for
“…may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Vs. 17
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10 NIV
What is His will for us?
To know Him better through spiritual growth and transformation
“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:29-30 NLT
3. Pray with your eyes open
“I pray 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Vs. 18-19
- See the hope of His calling
Spiritual growth/maturity means moving from thinking my problems are destroying me, to seeing that my problems are actually developing me. - See the riches of His glorious inheritance
- See the power available to us as His children
“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,” Vs. 19-20
4. Keep asking
“I keep asking…” Vs. 17
Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7)
Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Other Prayers of Paul that can help us learn how to pray and what to pray for:
- Ephesians 3:14-21
- Philippians 1:9-11
- Colossians 1:9-14
- 1 Thessalonians 3:10-13
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
- 1 Timothy 2:1-4
For more on prayer listen to the series “40 DAYS OF PRAYER” (JAN-FEB 2018) https://novationchurch.org/media