" I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
I am often asked to pray for people. Usually there is a specific reason such as healing or a particular need they wish God to step in and correct. I understand, if I am sick the number one thing on my mind is to feel better, to be well. But what is the number one thing that God would want me to pray for that person? Is there something even more important than receiving our immediate want or need?
Paul answers this question in Ephesians 1:15-23. This was his prayer for his readers. First of all he was thankful for them, their faith and their love. How would it make you feel to know the apostle Paul was thankful for you? He goes on to mention some petitions, requests to God. His petitions wasn't for them all to be well, or to have all their problems solved. His main petition for them was that they might know God. He prayed they might have the Spirit of wisdom to know him better and that the eyes of their hearts might be opened. Paul specifically asks that they would know the hope of His calling, know the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and know the greatness of His power.
Why is knowing God better such an important prayer? Our knowledge and vision is so limited. What seems good one moment turns out to be the worst thing that could have happened to us. And what seemed so terrible, in retrospect was a great blessing. We really don't know how to pray as we ought until we see things as God does.
Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you!
I am often asked to pray for people. Usually there is a specific reason such as healing or a particular need they wish God to step in and correct. I understand, if I am sick the number one thing on my mind is to feel better, to be well. But what is the number one thing that God would want me to pray for that person? Is there something even more important than receiving our immediate want or need?
Paul answers this question in Ephesians 1:15-23. This was his prayer for his readers. First of all he was thankful for them, their faith and their love. How would it make you feel to know the apostle Paul was thankful for you? He goes on to mention some petitions, requests to God. His petitions wasn't for them all to be well, or to have all their problems solved. His main petition for them was that they might know God. He prayed they might have the Spirit of wisdom to know him better and that the eyes of their hearts might be opened. Paul specifically asks that they would know the hope of His calling, know the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and know the greatness of His power.
Why is knowing God better such an important prayer? Our knowledge and vision is so limited. What seems good one moment turns out to be the worst thing that could have happened to us. And what seemed so terrible, in retrospect was a great blessing. We really don't know how to pray as we ought until we see things as God does.
Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you!
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