By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Residence
Ephesians 3:14–21
Petitioned (14–15)
Once again Paul is an example for us today, showing the importance of praying for others. Often believers struggle with prayer: Since God knows all things why should we pray?
However, the Bible is filled with prayers and while we believe God already knows the future, He chooses to work through us and our prayers to accomplish His purposes.
Looking at the following verses gives us an idea of how Paul prays and sets a model for us as well.
Indwelled (16–19)
At this stage of Paul’s life he was a prisoner. He could have chosen to pray to be released from his chains. He could have prayed for total freedom to travel wherever he pleased for the sake of the gospel. He could have even prayed for financial gain so he could use it to facilitate his travels and spread the gospel. But he did not. Paul prayed for the believers.
Many false teachers today tell their listeners we should pray for what we want regardless of the reason and God will give it to us.
I have heard of a man who was told by his pastor if a person prayed for something 2,000 times God would grant the request so he began praying for a Cadillac, which he never received. This position is unbiblical.
God hears our prayers and we are told to pray but God never promises to give us what we want. He does promise to give us what is best. Often this is difficult for the believer to understand. I have prayed for people to be healed from their illnesses but healing did not come. Did God hear my prayer? Yes. Did He answer according to my will? No, but He answered according to His will.
We have to remember several things here — God loves us and in all things, the good and the bad, God works for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).
So how does Paul pray? Paul prays believers would be strengthened by the Spirit and that Christ may dwell in our hearts. But wait — does this mean Christ does not dwell in the hearts of Christians?
Being a Christian means that Christ dwells in our hearts does it not? Yes this is true but just because one believes in Christ does not mean that person is always following the promptings of the Holy Spirit and actively living out his or her Christian faith. It is important to live out our Christian faith on a daily basis.
This involves a total commitment to follow Christ regardless of the situation. If we remember God’s love for us this is an easy thing to do.
For God to love us so much that even though we were still sinners He sent Christ to die for us in order to reconcile us to God is a wonderful expression of love that should motivate us to live our lives for Christ.
Every aspect of our lives should be captive to Christ. This will never be achieved perfectly in this life, but we strive to continue to grow in Christ daily — this is sanctification.
Honored (20–21)
Paul finishes this section with a spontaneous expression of praise to God which is the proper outpouring of joy to God. Because of what God has done for us in Christ, Paul is able to be joyful even though he is in chains for the gospel.
This is a model for us to follow. We aren’t all in prison but we live in hectic times with stresses due to family, work, finances, health, marriage, etc. Yet despite these trials we face we possess an everlasting joy because of our relationship to God the Father in Christ and that is an encouraging thought.
Remembering our joy allows us to face each day with the knowledge that God loves and cares for us and our lives contain purpose and meaning.
Share with others: