The prayer Paul prays for the Ephesian church members in Ephesians 1:15-19 has become one of my favourite prayers. Along with the Lord’s Prayer, it’s one I now pray each day.
Paul begins by thanking God for the Ephesian’s faith in the Lord Jesus and their love for all the saints. So each morning I pray that my faith in God and my love for all people would grow. And then Paul prays the following:
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 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. (Ephesians 1:17-19)
That’s six amazing things being prayed for in one prayer over just a few short verses:
- A deeper faith in Jesus.
- A greater love for others.
- A greater measure of the Spirit, so as to know God better.
- Knowing the hope to which God calls us.
- Knowing the riches of the inheritance He gives us.
- Knowing His power available to us who believe.
Those are great things to be praying for each day. Why not pray this prayer over yourself each morning, and see what God does in response? I think it’s leading me deeper into the things of God, and I pray that it does the same for you too.
Mark Williamson works as a director of One Rock. He’s an experienced leadership trainer, author of biographies on John Wesley and William Wilberforce, and is also passionate about praying for London. He enjoys good films, good food, and going for long walks with his wife Joanna. You can follow him on Twitter @markonerock.