How to Pray for the Church

HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED

How to Pray for the Church

Ephesians 3:14-21

Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Icard, NC

Wednesday, June 1, 2000

INTRODUCTION: The Apostle Paul wrote the Book of Ephesians from a Roman dungeon. There isn't any more beautiful picture of prayer in all the Bible unless it is Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, than that of the old Apostle bowing his knees in the Roman dungeon. (verse 14)

In spite of his own personal needs, in spite of the fact that he was in prison, Paul's thoughts were upon others and he was given to the ministry of intercession. No iron bars are a barrier if you know how to pray.

One of the greatest examples of an intercessor is the Apostle Paul.

Many times when great revivals occur we see the visible results but we are not aware of some faithful prayer warrior who had been interceding for weeks or even years for a particular need.

How thankful we should be for those who pray for us.

There are five things about the prayer that Paul prayed for the Ephesians which teach us some principles of interceding for the church.

I. The Prompting of This Prayer - verse 8-11

A. Paul prays that their perception might be increased - verse 8-11

Just think! Though I did nothing to deserve it, and though I am the least deserving Christian there is, I was chosen for this special joy of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.10 God’s purpose was to show his wisdom in all its rich variety to all the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. They will see this when Jews and Gentiles are joined together in his church. 11 This was his plan from all eternity, and it has now been carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. (New Living Translation)

B. Paul prays that their power might be increased - verse 16, 19-20

II. The Possibilities of This Prayer - verse 16

A. Prayer is as possible as God is possible.

Prayer is as rich as God is rich - verse 16 (read verses 16-17 from NLT)

B. Paul prays that God will bless them according to his riches - verse 16 The possibilities are unlimited!

III. The Purpose of This Prayer

A. To ensure God's power through them - verse 16

B. To establish God's presence in them - verse 17

1. "That Christ may dwell" - Dwell implies "fixed control." This speaks of one who has not only moved in but who is the undisputed owner of a piece of property.

2. This means that Christ not only has a place but now he has preeminence. When Christ has preeminence….

a. There will be a realization of Christ’s presence.

b. There will be a reproduction of Christ’s purity.

c. There will be a reenactment of Christ’s power.

C. To enhance Christs' preciousness to them

1. The dimensions-of God's love - verse 18 "breadth, and length, and depth, and height;" refers to the cross.

2. The distribution of God's love - verse 18 "the breadth of God's love as seen in John 3:16.

A sinner may go to hell unsaved but he'll never go to hell unloved.

3. The duration of God's love - verse 18 This is seen in the length of the cross. God will never stop loving. He has always been love and will always be love.

4. The depth of God's love - verse 18 No person is so unlovely or sinful but that the love of God can not reach him.

5. The destination of God's love - verse 18 Speaks of the height of the cross.

God's love started in heaven and it goes to heaven. It is heavenly in its source and heavenly in its destination.

IV. The Power of This Prayer - verse 20

A. God is able

B. God is able to do

C. God is able to do abundantly above

D. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think

V. The Praise of the Prayer - verse 21

The Apostle Paul didn't forget when he prayed to include praise in his prayer.

A. Petition goes into God's presence to carry something away.

B. Praise goes into God's presence to remain there forever.

C. Petition coupled with praise brings mighty results.