Praying for God‘s people (part 2)
Praying for God’s People (part 2 )
“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,”
Ephesians 1:17-20 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/eph.1.17-20.niv
In my previous post I wrote about the value and importance of prayer. I pointed out that Paul encouraged decisions by telling them he prays for them and is thankful for them. He also said that he prays continually. In addition, he reminded them and us, that he was bringing those players on their behalf to our good good father.
In this blog post my focus will be on the specific ways he prayed.
Paul asked God that they would have:
- Wisdom and Revelation to know through the Spirit
Paul wanted the faithful believers to whom he was writing do you have wisdom and revelation. Wisdom is the appropriate application of knowledge. It’s not about simply filling your head with facts but having good judgment and discernment.
We learn from the Scriptures that reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10)
God wants us to have wisdom. (Proverbs 4:7)
He wants us to use it for his glory and the benefit of others (1Kings 3:10-14)
we cannot acquire such wisdom through intellectual capacity. It must be a divine disclosure granting clear insight. We need the Holy Spirit.
“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words. He will speak only what he hears and will tell you what will happen in the future.”
John 16:13 ERV
https://www.bible.com/bible/406/jhn.16.13.er
“these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:10 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1co.2.10.niv
Paul had some specific petitions for that wisdom and revelation to bring to God’s people. He wanted them to know the father better, to have abiding hope to live in grace and experience power.
- Knowing The Father Better
It seems since Paul prayed this way, but it must be possible do you have an in accurate or at least insufficient understanding of who God is. It is essential that-we truly know God and that we grow in our relationship with Him.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
John 17:3 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/jhn.17.3.niv
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2pe.3.18.niv
- Hope
Our hope is in the Lord.
““But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
Psalms 39:7 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/psa.39.7.niv
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?”
Romans 8:24 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/rom.8.24.niv
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1pe.1.3.niv
For a more in-depth reflection on the topic so I hope you may refer to a previous blog post :
https://hopeharbor.blogspot.com/2021/07/hope-in-christ.html?m=1
- Riches of His glorious grace
Paul also prayed that the Christians would live in the glorious grace of God. I really like that the word glorious is used to describe grace. One of his definitions is having a glory or splendor that evokes delight and admiration. Our hearts can rejoice because God‘s grace is sufficient and abundant. “
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, …”
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/heb.4.16.niv Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/2co.12.9.niv
- Incomparable great (resurrection ) power
It is such an awesome thing to consider that our great God give it to us incomparable power. In fact it is the same power and authority that raised Jesus from the dead.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/1jn.4.4.niv
“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,”
Ephesians 3:20 NIV
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/eph.3.20.niv
When we pray for God’s people we can ask God to do awesome things on their behalf. The apostle Paul serves as a great model and example of one who prays and helps us to know how to pray.
Songs to encourage and inspire worship as we consider God’s wonderful blessings to us
Revelation Song
Good Good Father
All My Hope
Glorious Grace by Michael W Smith
Same Power
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