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, 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, 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 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. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV)
Paul tells the Ephesians that he is thankful for the Ephesian Christians and that he remembers them in prayer all the time. He proceeds in mentioning Five Specific Prayers for them - which we should be praying for ourselves and for those around us.
1- That God would give them the "Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him..."
Wouldn't be great if all of us prayed this prayer? That... God would fill us with the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation of who He is. We need to know the God whom we serve. We need to know His attributes and strengths - what He likes and dislikes. The word "knowledge" is a word of intimacy. It means to thoroughly know - to be acquainted with. It means to be recognizable. In other words - you know God intimately and completely.
2. That you might have "the eyes of your heart enlightened."
The idea is that of illumination and understanding. Life has a way of blinding us to truth about ourselves and situations around us. We need the Holy Spirit to come and take the blinders off our spiritual eyes that we would know and do God's will for our lives.
3. That you would know what is the "hope of your calling."
Everyone of has a calling to fulfill here on earth. We have a mission to accomplish. God has given us gifts to be used and deployed. The problem lies in the fact that some of us have no clue about what God has put in us and what is His calling in our lives. Paul prays that we would "know" the hope of our calling.
4. That we would know... "what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Think about that - we are His inheritance. We are His prize and jewel. Jesus loves us and wants us to be everything that we can be in life. Not only that but we also have an inheritance in Christ. Someday we shall stand with Him and God will lavishly pour out blessing upon blessing upon your life for your faithfulness on earth.
5. That we would know "what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ."
The Greek word for power is the word for strength, ability. It has the idea of miracle working power. Do you need a miracle today? God wants to give that to you. He wants to bless you with an understanding of his greatness and power in your life.
The answer to these prayers do not come from any strength of your own but only by the working of Christ's power in your life. As you depend on Him for your daily needs - His knowledge and power and strength will be released in your life today. Every Christian should pray these five prayers daily over their lives and over those in their personal circle, family, friends, pastor, church, etc. When you do - watch out - Miracles are on their way!
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