15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
Ephesians 1:15-16
We are studying Ephesians verse-by-verse on Wednesday evenings at church. We are in week three of chapter one 😄. Chapter one is basically one long prayer that Paul is praying for the believers at Ephesus (in fact, verses 3-14 is one long sentence!) The prayer is in the form of a benediction or words of blessing. Last night we talked about verses 15-18, which is a continuation of the benediction, and three things really struck me:
1. Paul's prayer is very positive and affirming. Of course he is writing his prayer knowing it is going to be read to the church (or churches), so it would make sense that he would start out on a positive note. But I think that's the way Paul probably prayed all the time - positive and affirming. It made me think about my praying, and honestly much of my praying is grumbling and complaining about things that are bothering me, or things I want the Lord to fix. That needs to change. I don't like it when people complain to me all the time, I can't imagine it is much of a blessing to the Lord when I do it to Him.
2. Paul's prayer is other-people centered. Again, he's writing a prayer that will be read to a church, so this makes sense. But, as I reflect on my praying, I usually start with me, my needs and wants, and my problems. Later down the line I'll mention others that I am praying for, but it is usually as I am wrapping things up. How different would my prayer life be if I started by praying for others first?
3. Paul's prayer is focused on the spiritual rather than the physical. The first part of his prayer (vs. 3-14) is focused on reminding them who they are and what they have in Christ. He reminds them of the gospel that they had received and how Jesus saved and sealed them in Christ. And then in the second part of his prayer (15-23) he is praying that they would know God at a deeper level, and know all the spiritual blessings they have in Him. He's praying for their spiritual growth.
Again, when I think about my own praying, it is too often focused on material things, both for myself and the few other people I pray for - physical healing, financial needs met, jobs, relationships. Nothing wrong with praying for those things, but should those physical needs take precedence over the spiritual lives of those I pray for?
When it comes to prayer (and many other things) I am a work in progress, but thankfully the Lord never gives up on me, and He is always challenging me to grow in my praying ... and He is you too.
