Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Greatest Prayer We May Ever Pray

EPHESIANS 1:15-21 – 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, 21 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.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE GREATEST PRAYER WE MAY EVER PRAY. I don’t think it’s a stretch to call today’s scripture “the greatest prayer we may ever pray.” Nor do I think it would be difficult to convince anyone of that claim. The spiritual petitions in this prayer produce spiritual intimacy to experience a close walk with the Lord Jesus; spiritual hope to live above the sorrows and sufferings in this life; and the spiritual strength to live every day in obedience to God’s commands. And really, in life, in the Christian life, aren’t those three things the deep longings in our hearts – a close walk with the Lord; freedom from the world; and energy to obey God’s Word? It would be a real boost in our Christian lives if we made this prayer a daily practice with anticipation of God answering it. Let’s work through each petition and see the joy behind each one.

First, the petition to know the Lord, really know the Lord – “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”. The Apostle Paul is petitioning for believers that God will give them a greater knowledge of Himself that fuels hope within them. Friends, there is nothing more important or bringing us more satisfaction in life than knowing God. And remember, Paul is praying for believers who already know Him. This is the joy of the Christian – pursuing Him who so loved us that He invites us to know Him.

The second petition is to draw our attention to what lies ahead – “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.” What keeps us joyfully living above trying circumstances? What enables us to endure suffering and sorrow of living in a sin-cursed world? Christ’s return. Heaven. The inheritance that lies ahead of us to where all pain is gone. Make this petition an earnest plea for the Lord to make us more aware of the glories in the next life. It will help us live victoriously in this life.

The final petition in the greatest prayer we may pray is about power – “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.” When life gets tough, and it does; when the Christian life seems impossible, and it will; here is where we go. On our knees we cry out, “Father, grant me awareness and application of the power of Your Son’s resurrection in my life.” And He will for His desire is to see us walk in Spirit-empowered strength. Pray this petition daily and fervently.

So, by now, I am sure we all agree this is the greatest prayer we may pray. Let’s prove our profession by making this prayer our regular practice.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for the abundant riches I have in Your Son.”

QUOTE: “Don’t pray primarily asking God for things, but awareness of what He has already given you.”