What do you pray for? Do you pray for your family? Do you pray for your friends? Do you pray for the members of your church? Do you pray for brothers and sisters in Christ around the world? Do you pray for physical health and financial well-being?
Often, our prayers revolve around ourselves, our families, and our friends. We often pray for healing, whether physical or relationship. We may pray for financial assistance in times of need. I can confidently state this as a pastor who receives many prayer requests.
Yet, we should pray as Paul states he prayed for the church in Ephesus. Our church members need us to pray over them in this manner. Notice that Paul first acknowledges the glory of God. Giving God the glory for all that he has done for us should be first on our list. It follows the pattern of what we call the Lord’s prayer.
Next, Paul prays they receive power from the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who lives within us and can strengthen us. It is his power that carries us through troubling times and allows us to overcome hurdles in our lives. It is also the Holy Spirit who converts our human words into heavenly language and lifts up our prayers to the Father.
Paul continues by praying that Christ dwells in our hearts through our faith. Having Christ within our hearts guides us in all we do. For Jesus stated it is what comes out of us, from our hearts, that evil comes (Mark 7:20-23). That evil cannot reside in our hearts if Christ is in it.
Finally, Paul prays that we are being rooted and grounded in love. This is the unconditional love that Christ said we should love God and love our neighbor. When this kind of love is our foundation, how we conduct ourselves and go about our daily lives reflects Christ.
I pray we all pray over our families and friends. I pray we pray over the members of our church. I pray each one of us use the pattern Paul demonstrates in praying over the church in Ephesus. Pray over your family. Pray over your friends. Pray over your church. Pray like Paul prayed.
Ephesians 3:16-17 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
Marty Pressey 