Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesian Saints

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Ephesians 1:15-17
Psalters: 351, 221, 30, 160
  1. For whom he prayed.
    1. The Ephesian Christians are saints and faithful (1); blessed with all spiritual blessings (3); chosen to be holy (4).
    2. About these Ephesians Paul says he “heard” two good things which are the acid tests of genuine salvation.
      1. The first and essential test is their “faith in the Lord Jesus.”
      2. Secondly, it is their “love unto all the saints” which love (God and fellow-saints) flows from faith (I Peter 1:22; I John).
  2. For what Paul prays for the Ephesians saints.
    1. The first thing mentioned in his prayer for them is that Paul gives thanks for them, and does so ceaselessly.
    2. Paul asks for “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (God our Father) – God-centered!
      1. That which is most essential and necessary and precious is the knowledge of God and of Jesus (John 17:3).
      2. “Knowledge” is a strong, powerful term referring to precise and correct intellectual grasp of things ethical and divine.
      3. The “eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened,” i.e., given spiritual perception.
      4. The eyes of our heart are enlightened by the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation.”
  3. To whom does Paul pray? “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.”
    1. Knowing the One to whom he is making this request explains why he knows that his request will be answered.
    2. He is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, i.e., Jesus’ God is our God (John 20:17).
    3. And He is the “Father of glory.”