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For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints. I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16, ESV).
When the Apostle Paul prays for followers of Jesus in the first century, I believe his prayers are for us too. Paul — with his only competition, Jesus — had an almost unerring accuracy with his praying.
When we see Paul pray for boldness, for healing, and for open doors in the Book of Acts, these prayers were answered. We can learn from his expertise in praying for the saints in Ephesus, as the blessings that these Christians should have experienced are the same for us today!
Understanding Paul’s prayers for us, we conclude that he wants us to pray big, bold requests!
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).
Effective praying begins with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Jesus prayed the will of the Father, as He said, “I do what the Father has commanded me” (John 14:31a). And Paul indicated that he too followed the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
The Spirit of wisdom and revelation enables us to see our Father’s will and pray for it to be accomplished — 100 percent of these prayers will be answered.
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:18-19, emphasis added).
Often, in my prayers, with my mind filled with questions, opportunities, and even frustrations, something “lights up” in my spirit, and a path appears. In the context of Paul’s prayers for us in Ephesians 1, enlightenment means “seeing clearly” God’s will.
Then we ask big prayers.
This path is not mysticism, but according to the “hope to which He has called us.” Our most effective prayers will further our calling. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1 that we should walk in a manner worthy of our calling. The big praying formula throughout the Bible mixes God’s will with our faith, resulting in God’s power.
Paul builds faith for the Ephesians and for us when he explains the foundation for answered prayers…
According to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:19b-21).
The same power with which Jesus was raised to sit at the right hand of God, undergirds the prayer formula of knowing God’s will and asking in faith. This doesn’t mean that we have a “celestial blessing God” working at our command. It indicates that God’s calling and our obedience will challenge us to grow in faith as we depend on God.
Questions:
- What is your calling?
- What are your big prayers according to your calling?
- Do you ask regularly for wisdom and revelation?
Remember: Mix God’s will with your faith for big requests.