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Paul’s Prayers for the

EphesiansEph. 1:15-21Eph. 3:14-21

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you, and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:15-21

19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about 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 every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 1:15-21

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

Paul’s Prayers for the

EphesiansEph. 1:15-21Eph. 3:14-21

4 Petitions4 PurposesA Doxology

Paul’s Prayers - Ephesians

May he may give you a Spirit of wisdom and

revelation 1:17Purpose #1

Petition #1

so that you may know him better. 1:17

That you may receive enlightenment (insight). 1:18

Purpose #2

Petition #2

so that you will comprehend and appreciate your hope,

your inheritance, and God's power 1:18-19

Ephesians 3:16-19 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

May he strengthen your inner person by his Spirit v.16 that is, may Christ dwell in your hearts through faith. v. 17

Petition #3

Purpose #3so that you can comprehend and experience God's love.

3:18,19

Petition #4May you yourself be

anchored in love (3:17)Purpose #4

so that you may be filled with God's fullness. (3:19)

Continual

16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;

Sincere Prayer is….

A Deeper Look

ThankfulMindful

 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

DOXOLOGYEphesians 3:20-21

Part One - The one to whom glory is given.

God is the object of this doxology -- "Him who is able," infinitely able! He is described as the one whose power is unlimited in his people. Consider the limitlessness of Paul's vocabulary describing God's power and capability here:

"abundantly beyond" - beyond all measure, the highest form of comparison imaginable.

"Far more", a marker of a degree beyond that of a compared scale of extent, in the sense of excelling, surpassing.

Part Two - The ascription of glory

“the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus”Based on the Greek word for “in” this phrase refers to either: by means of OR in the midst of.

“in the midst of” – whenever the church gathers together honor and glory “flow out”.

“by means of” - Christ receives glory by the way we live and by the way we love.

OR

Part Three - For How Long?

ForeverAndEver!