Model Prayers of Paul in Ephesians
Paul was a man of prayer. His prayer was completely different from all our prayers. He prayed night and day for the believers. His prayers reflect his concern and passion for the people of God. His love for people drove him to unceasing prayer on their behalf. The prayers of Paul recorded in his letters are a precious legacy. They reveal his heart and are models for us to imitate.
In the Epistle to Ephesus, we find two intercessory prayers of Paul and one prayer for Himself. Let us study all these three prayers.
Prayer for revelation (Eph. 1:15-23)
When Paul heard the faith and the love of believers in Ephesus for the saints (15), he spontaneously started thanking and praying to God for them to know certain spiritual realities (15, 16).
In the first part (17-19), Paul prayed for God’s enlightenment for the believers to know four important truths in their lives.
In the second part (20-23), Paul described the power of God and how this power worked in Jesus Christ.
Prayer points: He prayed that they may:
Know God: The spirit of wisdom and revelation be given (17).
Know the hope of His calling: The eyes of their understanding to be enlightened to know the hope of His calling (18).
Know the riches of the glory of His inheritance: Enlightened to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (18).
Experience God’s power: Enlightened to know the power of God toward those who believe and the power of resurrection of Jesus (19).
Uniqueness of this prayer: Paul did not pray for their physical needs. He prayed for them to understand and experience certain spiritual blessings that they have received in Christ. His prayer points are to know God, to know the hope of His calling, the riches of His inheritance in the saints and the power of God. If a believer is enlightened in these truths then he will not love the things of the world and live for the things of this world.
Prayer for realization (Eph. 3:14-21)
After sharing the revelation of the mystery of the church (Eph. 3: 1-12), Paul asked them not to lose heart by his tribulations (13). He bowed on his knees and offered this prayer for them. He prayed that they will experience the spiritual truths which kept him going in the midst of his tribulations.
Prayer points: He prayed that they will experience the following spiritual realities in their spiritual life to face tribulations.
To be strengthened in the inner man: To be strengthened in the inner man with might through His spirit (16).
To be rooted and grounded in love: To be rooted and grounded in love by Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith (17).
To comprehend and know the love of Christ: To know the width, length, depth and height of the love of God, which passes knowledge (18, 19).
To be filled with the fullness of God: To experience God’s fullness in their lives (19).
Uniqueness of this prayer: What do we pray when we pass through tribulation? We pray for the tribulation to be removed. We do not pray for the believers who pass through the tribulation to get strengthened to go through tribulation. In this prayer, Paul prayed for their spiritual life to be strengthened in the inner man and get rooted in God’s love. Paul was rooted in God’s love. So he prayed, ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?’ (Rom. 8:35). This love of God helped him to go through tribulations.
Prayer for revival (Eph. 6:18-20)
This passage is not Paul’s prayer, but this is his call to the Ephesians to pray for him in the Spirit with watchfulness and perseverance for all the saints (6: 19). Then he gave four prayer points to pray for his ministry.
Prayer points: Paul urged them to pray for the following points.
Utterance: That utterance may be given to Paul (19).
Boldness: That Paul might open his mouth boldly and preach (19, 20).
Communication: That Paul might make known the mystery of the Gospel in the ministry (19).
Clarity: That Paul may speak boldly as he ought to speak (20).
Uniqueness: When Paul wrote this epistle, he was in chains. He wanted to make known the mystery of the Gospel in the prison. At that time, he did not ask them to pray for his release or for him to bear the suffering. He asked them to pray for his ministry so that his ministry in chains will be effective.
In contrast to Paul’s prayer points, what are our prayer points when we pray for ministers and ministry? We pray for the finance, good health, and safety. We also pray for the worldly needs and for the ministry to be effective. Let us pray as Paul prayed.
(Dr. C. Barnabas, Taken from True Discipleship July-August 2003)