For The Ephesians (1:15-23)

by J.M. Gault, Carlisle, England | Category: Paul's Prison Prayers | Aug 1996

Diligence in prayer and a realization of its power were characteristic of the Apostle Paul. The first observation made about him following his conversion on the Damascus road is recorded in Acts 9:11. There the Lord said to Ananias, 'Behold, he prayeth'.

It was probably only after his conversion that the Apostle came to realize the value of prayer. Perhaps the synagogue prayers and the general liturgy of Judaism were largely repetitive, and learned by rote. But so profound was his experience of the risen Lord that from that moment onward prayer was

for Paul an entirely new experience, and one in which we can discern from his writings, he was assiduous.

In his epistles he often breaks into prayer when he recalls a particular revelation which he had been given or when he remembers a special need in the churches to which he is writing.

Paul knew the Church in Ephesus well. Although his first visit appeared to have been relatively brief, he returned later to spend three years in active service among the saints (Acts 18:19-21; 19:141; 20:31). His letter to them was written during his imprisonment in Rome. News had come from Ephesus which gladdened his heart.

It was several years since he had parted from them and what he heard re-assured him of the faith towards the Saviour and their love toward one another. The Ephesians would undoubtedly make mention of Paul in their prayers, and he likewise had them in remembrance. Such is the bond which prayer can produce in us that though we may be far apart from each other, and indeed may never have met, we can have a mutual care and concern which finds expression in our prayers. Paul assures them of his supplications for them and of the particular concern he has that they may know more thoroughly the blessings which accompany salvation and have a deeper insight to the spiritual realities.

Typical of the Apostle's recorded prayers, his requests are most specific. He expresses in considerable detail what it is he wants the Ephesians to experience. Often in our prayers we express ourselves too summarily.

There is so much to pray for; so many persons on our minds and hearts and the prayer time is often so short, that we assume for instance that a mention of a person's name before the Lord is an adequate prayer on that person's behalf. While it is true that the Lord knows exactly what is needed and also what the purpose of a particular experience may be, we should try to follow the example of the Apostle, and if possible be more specific. This can result in a more intelligent fellowship in our requests and thanksgivings when we pray together.

The specific nature of Paul's prayers is seen also when for the Thessalonians he asks that 'the saints may be sanctified wholly' (1 Thes. 5:23), and for the elders at Ephesus 'that they may be kept' (Acts 20:36). On this occasion his prayer for the Ephesians includes a request that they might:

(a)have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God

(b)experience a fresh realization of divine expectations through the call of the elect

(c)grasp the significance to God of His inheritance in the saints

(d)understand more deeply the power of God

(e)appreciate more fully the supremacy of the risen Christ.

In verse 17 he prays that the Ephesians may be led more deeply into the knowledge of God and of His ways. While by God's grace they had an abundance of wisdom and prudence, and had received a revelation of the mystery of God's will (Eph. 1:8-9), such knowledge though extensive, can never be complete. His desire for them is that they may know a fuller, and continually developing revelation of their God, as more and more is revealed to them by the Holy Spirit.

Verses 19-23 express further his desire for them to have a greater understanding of the power of God. For Paul, the supreme example of God's power was seen in the resurrection of Christ from the dead. His own expressed personal desire was that he might know this power in his own experience (Phil. 3:10). The power of God in the universe is absolute and is apparent to all men in the creation all around (Rom. 1:20) but it was powerfully demonstrated when He raised His Son from the dead. The power of men had crucified Him. The power of Rome had sealed His tomb. The power of the Prince of Darkness had held the keys of death and Hades, but Christ had wrested that power from him, and in raising Christ from the dead the supremacy of the power of God over and above all principalities and powers was clearly seen.

Finally, he brings before them the glory of the exalted Saviour at the right hand of the Father. There is no being in heaven, earth or hell, in any of the serried ranks of created powers, who is greater than He is and to all in the Church which is His Body, Christ has that close and unique relationship to them as its Head.

Here then in this prayer of the Apostle we have a lovely example of intercessory prayer by one believer for another. In Paul's particular circumstances in prison undoubtedly he had much time for prayer and reflection as he would, in his thoughts, range over all the churches and the individuals in them, and for each he would discern a special need. In our busy lives we may not have such time at our disposal but in our private and collective prayers we can try to emulate the wide-ranging concern and discernment of the needs of God's people which this prayer of the Apostle exemplifies.

The specific requests in Paul's prayer on this occasion for the Ephesians embrace in their totality the continuing need of us all for the growing and developing knowledge of God and of His power, and of the glory of the risen Christ, our Saviour and Lord, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3).

J.M. Gault, Carlisle, England | Aug 1996
Paul's Prison Prayers