The Prayers That Paul Prayed Pt 2

Eph 1:17 “asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”

"Ephesians 1:17 TPT - Bible.com" is a verse that says, "I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him"

Background : The background of Ephesians 1:17 can be understood by examining the context of the whole passage. In this verse, the Apostle Paul is writing to the believers in Ephesus, expressing his prayer for them. Let's take a look at the surrounding verses for a better understanding:

"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." - Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

In the preceding verses, Paul praises God for the spiritual blessings that believers have received through Christ. He emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in illuminating our understanding and revealing God's wisdom to us. Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:17 is that the Ephesian believers would receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, enabling them to have an intimate knowledge of God.

The overall theme of the book of Ephesians is the unity and growth of the church in Christ. Paul encourages believers to live in accordance with their new identity in Christ, emphasizing the importance of love, unity, and spiritual growth. Ephesians 1:17 underscores the significance of knowing God deeply and intimately, which leads to a transformed life and a deeper relationship with Him.

It is important to study the entire book of Ephesians to fully grasp the background and context of Ephesians 1:17 and to understand the broader message Paul is conveying.

The whole prayer that Paul is praying for the Ephesians church is dealing with it from an intimate experience

We must diligently engage in prayer, following the example of Paul's devout supplications.

A. Prayer helps attune us to God's voice and divine guidance. Like Paul, we should persistently pray to know God's will and receive insight into future events or situations.

B. Earnest prayer helps us tune out the noise and distractions of life so we can clearly hear God's voice. Like Paul, we must set aside intentional time to listen for God's truths.

2. Intimate Spiritual Wisdom

Intimate spiritual wisdom comes with surrendering to the Holy Spirit completely

Relationship with Holy Spirit comes through salvation. Intimacy with Holy Spirit comes through surrender.

A. Wisdom comes from asking God to show us how to live out Biblical truths such as mercy, humility, and righteousness in practical daily choices.

Proverbs 9:10 states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. This verse teaches that the fear of God is foundational to true wisdom. It relates more to respect and reverence for God than actual fear in its modern definition. The verse also teaches that people must submit to God's will to acquire wisdom.

Wisdom flows from seeing God for who he is, and responding to God appropriately. So, wisdom starts with a God-centered view of the world.

B. Wisdom results in fewer regrets and a more fulfilling life.

Proverbs 4:6-7 “Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.”

C. Paul is encouraging in church to keep seeking mercy of wisdom from the father

Ultimately, Paul emphasizes wisdom because it is foundational to knowing Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, he says Christ "has become for us wisdom from God." A life of wisdom is a life filled with the intimate knowledge of who Jesus is and what he desires for us. We must continually seek after the wisdom found in Christ.

D. all wisdom from the father is supernatural and Divine

Wisdom is necessary for exercising dominion and stewardship over our lives and resources.

3. Intimate knowledge of his heart

In Hosea 6:6, God says "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." God values our knowing Him and His merciful heart above religious rituals.

A. Ultimately, knowing God's heart deeply changes how we relate to Him in worship, obedience, repentance, and love. We no longer view Him distantly, but draw close as His dearly loved child.

B. Knowing God's heart means understanding His great love for us. Passages like Zephaniah 3:17 and

Psalm 103 describe His tender, protective, and sacrificial love. “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs

4. Intimate revelation of his truth

4. The experience of the revelation.

what is the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

The Hebrew word picture for "wisdom of God" combines two Hebrew words:

1. "Chokhmah" (חכמה) means wisdom or skill.

2. "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים) is one of the names for God.

When you combine these words, the word picture for "wisdom of God" in Hebrew conveys the idea of divine wisdom or skill from God, representing the deep understanding and knowledge that comes from the divine source.

The Hebrew word for knowledge is "דַּעַת" (da'at). The word picture for "knowledge" in Hebrew is composed of three Hebrew letters:

1. "Dalet" (ד) represents a door or pathway, signifying access or entrance to something.

2. "Ayin" (ע) symbolizes an eye, representing perception, understanding, and insight.

3. "Tav" (ת) signifies a cross or a mark, denoting a covenant or sign.

Together, the word picture for "knowledge" in Hebrew conveys the idea of gaining insight and understanding through access to information or experience, often associated with a sense of covenant or divine revelation. It suggests that true knowledge involves more than just gathering facts; it involves perceiving and understanding the deeper aspects of reality and existence.

A. Wisdom: Wisdom refers to insight into doctrinal truth - 1 Cor 12:7-8 “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice*; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.*”

. It is a better understanding of the truths of God

The Holy Spirit is going to give insight into God's Word on what it means

It involves knowing God's plan for their lives

.Knowledge: Knowledge refers to the ability to apply doctrinal truth to life

The spiritual gift of knowledge is also known as the “word of knowledge” or “utterance of knowledge.”  The Greek word for this gift is Gnosis and it simply means knowledge and understanding.  The Scriptural emphasis in 1 Corinthians 12:8 is on the ability to speak this knowledge to others in a given situation.  In the opening passages of 1 Corinthians, Paul spoke of knowledge and recognized that the highest form of knowledge among men is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (i.e. the testimony about Christ, cf. 1 Corinthians 1:4-7).  What we can conclude then is the gift of knowledge is an understanding of the things in this world and in our lives that is founded in the Gospel and rooted in the Scriptures.  This gift is closely related to the gift of wisdom which is alluded to by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.

. It is the ability to apply the truths of God to one's life

. It means intelligence and speaks of the knowledge of diverse matters

Transformation: The Spirit of wisdom and revelation can lead to transformation

. It can help believers enter into a deep and intimate knowledge of God that can transform them

.In summary, wisdom is about understanding the doctrines of God and knowing His plan for one's life, while knowledge is about applying those doctrines to one's life and having intelligence about diverse matters.

A. Apostle Paul learned how to move with the Holy Spirit and to stay in constant connection and communication with the Holy Spirit

B. many times you pray what you have experienced from God…

For example if you prayed about something and God answered you now move from just prayed about it you step into a test what you prayed

C. We pray to experience the manifestation of God's glory and testimony to answered prayers

E . All testimonies is attributed to God answering our prayers

D. we were made for God's glory and if we were made for God's glory then that means we are made to have an experiential encounter with Revelation and wisdom of his power

F. enemy manipulates but the spirit of God elevates and God gives us free choice each and every day…

See you have to choose do you want to experience the manipulation of the enemy or do you want to experience the elevation of the father

The revelation of God is the testimony of God

G. the revelation that God gives you is designed for you to stay in pocket of the current moves of the spirit of God

A. things that we have never seen before

5. Intimate confidant of hope

5.