Paul was a
man of prayer. In chapter 1 he prayed on learning of the Ephesians’ faith in
God. Here in this chapter, he prayed on learning that they were losing heart
because of his imprisonment.
In verses
14-21, he began by referring to the true posture of prayer. In saying that he
bowed his knees before the Father, he was not just referring to the kneeling posture
in prayer. He was referring to the attitude of the heart in prayer. God is more
concerned about the attitude of dependence when we come to Him in prayer. It is
interesting to know that standing with arms outstretched was the Jew’s usual
praying posture. They bowed their knees or prostrated themselves only when the
matter they were praying was something of extreme concern. And this was the
posture Paul took.
He addressed his heavenly Father, the One in whom every father
on earth derives his name. In saying that, Paul was essentially showing that
God is the archetype of fatherhood. Every father on earth who qualifies to be
called a father takes his fundamental nature and character from this heavenly
Father. The term “Father” here is not merely referring to God being the Father
of all mankind. The term implies that He cares and is concerned, and that He provides,
guides and communes with His children. When encountering a discouraging moment,
this is the Father Who is always available. In mentioning His riches in glory,
Paul was talking about God’s Personhood, His glorious being. Whenever God
reveals His glory, He shows Himself and what He’s like. He is not a distant
transcendental being seated above, devoid of any interest in what is going on
in our lives. In fact He is a tender, caring and loving Father Who is deeply
concerned about what is going on in our lives. This is the heavenly Father every
believer comes to in prayer.
Firstly, he prayed that through the Spirit the believers would
be strengthened in the inner man. Paul asked the Spirit Who dwells in believers
to strengthen and reinforce their inner being. Why? It’s because recovery always
begin at that level. It always starts at the level of the spirit. Furthermore,
it is the level that only God can do. It is God’s part. We cannot do anything
but to pray for God to do it. The very first step to recover from
discouragement then, is to ask God to release a fresh lease of strength in the
spirit. Then the Spirit of life, Who dwells within believers, will restore the
strength so that a believer can once again function as God has intended.
Secondly, he prayed that Christ might dwell in their hearts
through faith. Paul knew that only after the Holy Spirit had strengthened the
spirit then could a person feel the nearness and presence of Christ. The work
of the Spirit would stir up faith. When the Holy Spirit does that, faith is
restored in the heart to believe in the presence of Christ. Paul added that they
would operate from the solid and needful foundation of God’s love.
Thirdly, he prayed that they might have the power to
comprehend and know Christ’s love. Here the apostle progressed from the
believer’s love to Christ’s love. He prayed that believers would have the power
to understand the love of Christ and to know it in experience. In mentioning
the breadth, length, height and depth, Paul was praying for them to experience
the full measure of Christ’s love. The power to understand this love would be
richer when believers comprehend it with all the saints. Personal experience of
this love could be limited, but when understood together with the experience of
others, one could understand a much fuller scope of His love. Paul not only
prayed for them to understand that love but also to know it. In a sense, one
can never comprehend love until it has been experienced. Even then, it is
difficult to fully understand everything about God’s love, because it surpasses
all knowledge.
Finally, he prayed that they might be filled with all the
fullness of God. The aim of a Christian’s life is to be filled with the
fullness of God. Paul’s desire was for God to be in possession and control of
every believer’s life, and that God would enrich, bless and strengthen the
believers in every way.
Oh, to know Him and all that He has provided! And we can, by
coming to Him through our daily and constant prayer!
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