Title: What to Pray?
Contents
Title: What to Pray? Text: Ephesians 3:14-19 Ephesians is a letter written by the apostle Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. The apostle Paul, who loved the church and loved the saints, did not stop praying for the saints even for a moment while imprisoned in prison. Paul is now on his knees to the God who has given names to every tribe in heaven and on earth. Paul knew that it was God the Creator who could hear his prayer, so he knelt before him. I knelt down with earnestness and sincerity. and prayed
1. Paul should pray that the saints will be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit in their inner man.
Ephesians 3:16 The “inner man” here refers to the heart and soul. An accurate translation of this verse is: He prayed that he would “be strengthened even to the inner man.” In other words, he prayed for strength not only in the appearance and outward appearance of a person, but also in the soul. Why? Should our hearts and souls be strong? Because you can win the spiritual battle. Saints are those who fight the good fight. To fight evil spirits. To fight the forces of darkness. 1 Timothy 6:12 So how can our souls be strengthened? It can be strengthened by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is power. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we gain strength and have supernatural powers. That's why Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will have power. Power here refers to ‘strength, power, ability’. Saints! Why do we give in to Satan's temptations? It is because we are not spiritually strong.
2. We must pray for Christ to be in our hearts.
3. We must pray that we may know the love of Christ.
Ephesians 3:18 To know the love of Christ is not just an intellectual knowledge. To know here means to know through experience and experience. The saints who know the love of Christ will devote themselves to Christ, serve, and be loyal. Anyone who knows the grace of Christ's death can die for Christ. Those who know the grace of suffering of Jesus Christ can suffer for Christ's sake. Those who know the devotion of Jesus and sacrifice for us are devoted and sacrificed generously for the Lord for the Church. Why? Can't you commit? Why? Can't you tithe? Why? Are you unable to do your holy water properly? Why? Can't you live a grateful life? It is because they do not know the love of Christ.
4. We must pray to be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:19 God is without weakness or weakness. All things are sufficient for him. There is nothing he does not know, and there is nothing he cannot do. That is why he said that if we ask for anything we want, it will be given to us. Psalm 145:19 Now all that God has may be yours. So, what must we do to be filled with the fullness of God? It must be a person who experiences the love of Christ, fills our hearts with the love of Christ, loves our neighbor with the love of Christ, and is loyal to the Lord with the love of Christ and for the gospel. This is how God fills in the fulness of blessings.