15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 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, 18 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, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,  Ephesians 1:15-20

A. The consuming passion of the Apostle Paul: Philippians 3:10

B. The spiritual prayer life of the Apostle Paul

PRAYER PRINCIPLES MODELED BY PAUL

− Intercessory (others focused)

− Gospel-birthed (new birth)

− Trinitarian (relationship)

− Familial (relationship)

− Spiritually oriented (petitions)

− Holy Spirit dependent (aided)

1. The recipients of Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:15, 1:1

2. The characteristics of Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:16

a) Intercessory 1 Corinthians 14:15

b) With thanksgiving Luke 22:17; John 6:11; John 11:41

c) Without partiality Luke 20:21; James 2:1

3. The Person addressed in Paul’s prayer: Ephesians 1:17a

a) God of our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Corinthians 1:20

b) Father of Glory

Exodus 33:18-23; Acts 7:2; John 17:5; John 17:24; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:30, Colossians 1:27

4. The enabling spiritual petition in Paul’s prayer

5. The practical spiritual petitions in Paul’s prayer