Prayer For God’s Power And Love

Topic: Prayer
Passage: Ephesians 3:14–21

January 2, 2023

Commentary

Paul tells how he kneels to the Father in prayer (v. 14), where all beings on earth and in heaven get their direction (v. 15). Unfortunately, many Christians have a very selfish approach to God in their prayer life. They are always asking, always wanting more from God. They want Him to make them rich, heal their diseases and make them happy and successful. If we want to receive God’s blessing, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers. Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God’s power.  It seems that we are seldom content to just get to know God better. Paul knew that if the inner man is what it ought to be, the outer man will be taken care of itself. In this passage Paul makes three essential requests and we should be praying for these daily:

  1. To let Jesus rule my life, through the power of the Holy Spirit. (vv. 16-17a)
    1. Strength (v. 16). – Paul is referring to internal power and strength. This relates directly to our knowledge of the written Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
    2. Depth (v.17a). – The key to depth is found in these three verbs:
      1. Dwell – to settle down and feel at home.
      2. Rooted – nourished and stable.
      3. Grounded – the foundation on which we build.
  2. To know and share the love of Christ wherever God takes me (vv. 17b-19a). God wants us to step out by faith and claim our inheritance (Phil. 4:13).
  3. To experience the very best that God has and never settle for anything less (vv. 19b-21). Positionally we are complete in Christ but practically we only enjoy His fulness.

Application

I need to constantly be asking myself, “Am I experiencing God’s power in my life or just coasting?”

Ephesians 3:14– 21 (NET)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he will grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ will dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.