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. (Ephesians 3:16-19)
Over the last few days we have seen how prayer can be a bit of a love thermometer. Prayer is clearly a great Discipline to pursue if we are to grow in our love for God and others. We will continue on this theme by considering a great prayer by Paul (captured above). This is a prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers.
As we have done over the last two days, please pay special note to how love is demonstrated in this prayer of Paul.
Today’s Questions for comments:
- In your own words, what does Paul want for the Ephesian believers and why?
- How would you feel if you knew that someone was praying for you the way Paul prayed for the Ephesians?
Today would be a good day to pray deeply for some believers that God brings to mind.
March 4, 2015 at 1:02 am
In your own words, what does Paul want for the Ephesian believers and why?
Oftentimes, I pray for God to “make His presence known in my life in such a way that I’m overwhelmed -let it be inescapable.” I ask Him to make His presence so apparent that in every decision I make, in my happiness, and in my sadness I acknowledge that God is with me. I believe that Paul is praying for the same thing for the Ephesian believers because he says, “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” I took this to mean that Paul is praying for God to flood the Ephesian believers with His presence, so that they can’t turn from Him.
How would you feel if you knew that someone was praying for you the way Paul prayed for the Ephesians?
Thankfully, I have such a wonderful support system that I feel like I am constantly being prayed for in this way. Whether it be from my family members, my youth group, or my church, I’m reminded constantly that there are people fervently praying for me; it feels amazing!
My comments may come at odd hours, but I’m certainly following along and enjoying the comments of others throughout the day (:
March 4, 2015 at 6:18 am
Paul desperately wants the Ephesians to really understand the concept of Christ’s incredibly awesome love. It’s because of his own love for the Ephesians that Paul wants them to feel the love he himself has experienced. Paul knows firsthand how experiencing and being filled with the love of Christ can ultimately change a person, and he has this desire for the Ephesians.
If I knew that someone was praying for me the way Paul prayed for the Ephesians, I would feel loved and blessed. I strive to be filled with the love of Christ and to show that love on a daily basis.
March 4, 2015 at 7:25 am
Paul was praying for the Ephesians to remain firm in their faith; that they will be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that Christ would dwell in their hearts all the time Paul also prayed that these believers will understand God’s unfailing love, that only Him could love them unconditionally and satisfy all their longings and needs.. God’s Love was manifested in His mercy and grace bestowed upon those who put their trust in Him and that these believers will enjoy the fulfillment of God’s promise as they walk with God each day.
From my experience in the past and my present situation, I always feel I am blessed to have so many Christian friends who pray like Paul. I have attended many churches and bible study groups for the past 27 years of moving from one country to another every three years, and I can tell who is like Paul in every group I had in the past. So, I’m grateful that the Lord is bringing them to my life wherever I live for my husband’s job. I feel so special and loved by many ‘”Paul” that I’ve met and prayed with. Even up to now I am still in touch with these friends and they are so vigilant in praying. I thank the Lord for this gift of praying friends…they are my joy in life.
March 4, 2015 at 7:38 am
Paul wanted the Ephesians to grow in their knowledge of salvation. To know more fully the expression of love Christ’s death signified. He wanted them as a body of believers, a church, to grasp the magnitude of God’s love for them.
I would be so thankful to know that someone was praying for me in this way. Today, I am reminded, convicted as a sister in Christ to not worry about who is praying for me this way, but who I should be praying for in this way.
March 4, 2015 at 8:00 am
In your own words, what does Paul want for the Ephesian believers and why?
Paul as usual wanted his brethren to receive and experience the maximum best of all that God had for them. This is the definition of love as far as praying for others are concerned – desiring the spiritual best for that individual/those individuals.
How would you feel if you knew that someone was praying for you the way Paul prayed for the Ephesians?
Blessed and as Mrs. C-J mentioned, I am challenged to consider the responsibility I have to love others in this manner.
March 4, 2015 at 8:34 am
In your own words, what does Paul want for the Ephesian believers and why?
Paul wants the Ephesians to know how deep the Father’s love is for them and to live that abundant life as a result of it.
How would you feel if you knew that someone was praying for you the way Paul prayed for the Ephesians?
Personally, the knowledge of someone praying so earnestly for me is really inspirational. I always admire people who notice the need of others, almost like a parent would- someone who knows you is thinking about your development, and how you would prosper most. What love!
March 4, 2015 at 10:27 am
Paul prays to God to do only what He can do which is increase faith and trust of Christ’s indwelling of the heart in order to personally and intimately experience His divine presence i.e. His love to the fullest measure that is beyond any and everything that could be imagined! The only way that we/ they will not be shaken during our time in the world is by being firmly and rooted and grounded in Christ’s love by faith. Facing the world and feeling the way I feel, makes me realise how imperative it is to pray this prayer and have others pray it for me.
March 4, 2015 at 9:36 pm
There seems to a unanimous verdict by our commentators that Paul sought the best for the Ephesians, which can only come from God. And yes, we would be blessed if we were so remembered by others in prayer; and we are so convicted for not demonstrating love to believers we know by consistently seeking what’s best for them in prayer.
March 4, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Apostle Paul thought and preached to the people of Ephasus in order to make them appreciate how Christ love them and to help them through love make heaven, which is the ultimate goal of all Christian.
2. Knowing that someone is praying for me, strengthens my faith and reminds me to pray for other people far and near, their faith not withstanding.
Seyi (Accra)
March 7, 2015 at 7:23 am
In Paul’s first sentence, he prays for the unbelievers, that they may, through the power of the Holy Spirit, receive Christ through faith.
In Paul’s second sentence, he prays for the believers, that they (we) may know the unknowable love of Christ, and thus have His abundant life.
While it is indeed convicting to wonder how often we pray these prayers for those we know in both camps, I want to add that we should also pray the latter pray for ourselves.
March 7, 2015 at 7:24 am
In Paul’s first sentence, he prays for the unbelievers, that they may, through the power of the Holy Spirit, receive Christ through faith.
In Paul’s second sentence, he prays for the believers, that they (we) may know the unknowable love of Christ, and thus have His abundant life.
While it is indeed convicting to wonder how often we pray these prayers for those we know in both camps, I want to add that we should also pray the latter prayer for ourselves.