Praying in the will of God
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17).
In Ephesians 1 Paul begins by writing about the power of God’s will in determining our blessings in Christ. Then he lifts his heart to God in prayer (vv. 16-23). The work at Ephesus had begun is a small way in Acts 19, but had developed remarkably. Paul was writing from his imprisonment in Rome. He had had a report of the Ephesians’ faith and love, and his heart was filled with unceasing thankfulness and prayer for them. Recently we have been reading in the Old Testament some long lists of names of people we know nothing about. But God recorded their names and knows absolutely everything about them. Never forget that, when we mention others in our prayers, sometimes knowing little about them, we bring their whole beings before God. Mentioning names in prayer is not a futile occupation, but a recognition of the greatness of God and His power to bless.
Paul’s prayer was directed to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father of Glory. These titles remind us of the glory the Lord Jesus brought to God through His manhood, and also the response of the Father in glorifying His Son (vv. 20-23). Our prayers often focus on the practical needs we and others face from day-to-day. Paul teaches us to pray to deepen our knowledge of God. Everything else falls into place when we understand this primary need. Paul prayed that the Ephesian Christians would be given a spirit of wisdom, revelation, and enlightenment. Spiritual wisdom is the practical application of spiritual knowledge which is imparted by revelation. Enlightenment opens our eyes to see and understand. Paul later deals with the practical aspects of the Christian life. But he conveyed in his prayer that the power to live practically for God comes from knowing Him. This spiritual relationship is developed through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in communion with Christ and the application of the word of God. Moses’ face shone, and Stephen had a face like the face of an angel, because they had been in the presence of God. Paul’s desire for the eyes of the Ephesian’s hearts to be enlightened is illustrated by what happened to the disciples in Luke 24:31-34.
It is by communion with God that we grow in our understanding of our destiny in Christ (the hope of His calling). We also understand our preciousness to Christ (the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints). And we discover our power in Christ (the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe). Paul’s prayer is thankful, focused and persistent. He prays for Christ to be glorified in our hearts and in the Church as a whole. He prays for a deepening knowledge of the resurrection, ascension and supremacy of Christ. Paul focuses on Christ’s glory in verses 20-21 by presenting Christ’s glory in His resurrection (the past), His ascension (the present) and His supremacy (the future). Christ is the Head of His Church. His people recognise His glory now and live in the power of it.
The apostle prayed for his fellow believers to enter into all the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. These blessings had shaped Paul into Christ’s likeness and empowered him to serve and worship God. May we pray for the same spiritual outcomes in our lives and that of our fellow believers.
