Prayer
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Seven Things to Prayer for the Church
Ephesians 1:15-19
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
2020 was one of the most difficult years the world has faced in quite some time. The
world was caught off guard by COVID-19, a disease that strikes indiscriminately and shows no
partiality to anyone. And despite having to sanitize frequently, wearing a mask that irritates my
sinuses and having to dance between orange and yellow … church closed and open, I cannot
help but feel overwhelmed with blessings! Over five years ago I got a text to meet with your
pulpit committee that has since led me on a journey to teach and watch you my family grow! At
Christmas time you showered me with gifts of sweets, money, and cards of thanks that made my
soul just about burst with love! I wondered what I could as your pastor give to show my undying
love for all of you and then I stumbled across a prayer of Apostle Paul to the church of Ephesus.
By the grace of God, I have modified this prayer so that like Paul I might tell you my family
seven things I am asking God to grant to you today and for the rest of your lives!
One: Prayer of Faith
Hebrews 11:1 states, “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see.” I praise God that even though you have not physically seen Jesus you believe in
Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8) of having received every
spiritual blessing in our Lord (Ephesians
1:3). Despite many of you going
through trials and tribulations I praise
God that you continue to chase after
your first love, Jesus, so that by your
patience you might attain a higher level
of spiritual maturity (James 1:2-4). I
pray that your faith continues to grow so
that you might be like king David and
with God’s help slay the Goliath’s in
your lives, be like Noah and Lot whose
testimony was unshakeable in the midst
of worldly unbelief, be like Joseph, Job,
Paul and Silas who despite their
overwhelming tribulations rejoiced in
the Lord, and be like Abram and Isaiah who despite not knowing the ministry path asked of them
were willing to shout out “here I am take me” (Genesis 22:1; Isaiah 6:8). May your faith be
greater than a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) so that when the devil throws mountains of doubt
upon your shoulders you will not grow weary (Isaiah 40:31) but with God’s help throw off the
shackles of sin that so easily entangles and cast them into the sea (Hebrews 12:1-3)! Since all
things are possible with Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13) may you never stop
believing that you can do miracles greater than Christ did on earth … all you need do is ask in
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the will of the Father and it shall be given unto you (John 14:12-14)! Above all I pray my dear
beloved family, never stop believing that His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9) and by your
faith you are justified (Ephesians 2:8-9) to remain God’s very own children forever (John 1:12)!
Two: Prayer of Love
May the whole community continue to hear about your love that is patient, kind, does not
envy, is not proud, does not dishonor others, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered and keeps
no records of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). With all humility and gentleness, and with
patience, may you continue to bear with and even celebrate each other’s differences so that the
bond of peace we so richly enjoy might
last and be a perpetual witness of our
allegiance to He who bought us at a
price (Ephesians 4:2-3; 1 Corinthians
6:20)! May you be “kind to one
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one
another, for love covers a multitude of
sins” (Ephesians 4:32). May God set a
seal of love upon your heart so strong
that not even the greatest injustices of
this world can not provoke you to see
them as perpetrators and curse them,
but may you see the evilest of this
world merely as fallen image bearers
whom Christ’s arms are still open wide
(James 3:9-10; 2 Peter 3:9)! May our
community and the whole world know you are Christians because you love in word and deed (1
John 3:18, John 13:35). For those whom God placed under my care may you know that my love
you continues to grow and that I am eager to serve you (1 Peter 5:2-4) by rejoicing when you
rejoice, grieving when you grieve (Romans 12:15), feeding you when you are hungry (Matthew
25:35), praying for and listening to your needs and above all may I fearlessly and truthfully
proclaiming to you the word of God (Ephesians 6:18-20). No matter how much my love for you,
never forget that God’s love is infinitely greater for “God so loved this world gave His one and
only Son” (John 3:16). May you always know how precious the steadfast love of God is by
continually taking refuge and rejoicing under the shadow of His wings (Psalms 36:7)!
Three: Prayer of Thanksgiving
I want you to know that I never stop giving thanks to God for the blessings of “election,
sonship, redemption, revelation and the gift of the Holy Spirit” 1 that God has graciously given to
our family! Out of the abundance of grace God has given you in Christ Jesus, may the peace of
1
Francis Foulkes, Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 10, Tyndale New
Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989), 66.
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God continue to rule in your hearts (1 Corinthians 1:4; Colossians 3:15)! I am so proud and
thankful that you continue to exercise your faith through your love for one another.2 May you
not be anxious about anything but in
every situation, by prayer and petition
make your requests known in
accordance with God’s perfect will that
always comes to pass (Philippians 4:67; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). When the
devil throws his fiery darts of
destruction may you not be overcome
with fear (Psalms 56:4) but instead
may your heart rejoice for the Lord is
your strength and shield, a solid
foundation that cannot be moved by
the powers of this dark world
(Ephesians 6:12-16) that is not our
home (Hebrews 13:14). When you see
the heavens declare the glory of God
(Psalms 19:1) and you feel the rivers of living waters flow in your souls (John 7:38), may your
weariness turn into joy for in the proper time you will reap a glorious harvest (Galatians 6:9).
Above all, may you enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalms 100:4).
May you sing of the Lord’s great love forever with your words, thoughts, and deeds so that your
faithfulness and the Father’s love might be know throughout all generations (Psalms 89:1-2).
Fourth: Prayer for Wisdom and Revelation
Like Paul, I keep asking that God would continue to give you a Spirit of wisdom so that
you might not merely let life happen but know and apply His will to your everyday living.3 May
you not seek the council of the ungodly (Psalms 1:1) whose opinions are based on the shifting
sands of culture4 but instead seek truth and guidance from God who is the object of our devotion,
adoration, and reverence.5 May the twists, tweaks, turns, and dangers of life6 not provoke selfreliance but instead a genuine desire to embrace of the Spirit of truth, wisdom and revelation 7
2
R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994),
37.
3
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 37.
4
Anthony T. Evans, “‘Experiencing Spiritual Wisdom’ (Part 2),” in Tony Evans Sermon Archive
(Tony Evans, 2010), Eph 1:15–21.
5
R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994),
38.
6
Anthony T. Evans, “‘Experiencing Spiritual Wisdom’ (Part 2),” in Tony Evans Sermon Archive
(Tony Evans, 2010), Eph 1:15–21.
7
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 34.
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who alone (3:3-6) 8 is able to teach and enable one to stay on the narrow path (Matthew 7:13).9
May your ears be opened to wisdom, your heart to understanding, may you cry out for
discernment (Proverbs 2)10 as one who sees being transformed into Christ’s likeness as a treasure
and pearl that cannot and will not be cast
aside11 to chase after mere trinkets of
pleasure that are here today and gone
tomorrow (Matthew 6:19-21). May you
never be content with merely knowing
about God but instead thirst with all
your heart, mind, and soul to allow Him
to cultivate furrows of love and personal
involvement into your heart.12 With
reverance13 and with a sense of grace14
may you never stop approaching the
Father’s throne to ask and receive divine
wisdom that cannot be obtained through
human understanding or ingenuity.15
Through this special revelation from
God, which is a “special gift, manifestation, or application of the Holy Spirit,” 16 may you
navigate your lives carefully and correctly, 17 and with integrity that is “pure, then peaceable
gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy”18 and with the
8
Harold W. Hoehner, Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids, Cornerstone Biblical
Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon., vol. 16 (Carol
Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008), 40.
9
R. C. Sproul, The Purpose of God: Ephesians (Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, 1994),
37.
10
Anthony T. Evans, “‘Experiencing Spiritual Wisdom’ (Part 2),” in Tony Evans Sermon
Archive (Tony Evans, 2010), Eph 1:15–21.
11
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 133.
12
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 35.
13
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 133.
14
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 35.
15
Harold W. Hoehner, Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids, Cornerstone Biblical
Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon., vol. 16 (Carol
Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008), 40.
16
Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary
Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 165.
17
Anthony T. Evans, “‘Experiencing Spiritual Wisdom’ (Part 2),” in Tony Evans Sermon
Archive (Tony Evans, 2010), Eph 1:15–21.
18
Anthony T. Evans, “‘Experiencing Spiritual Wisdom’ (Part 2),” in Tony Evans Sermon
Archive (Tony Evans, 2010), Eph 1:15–21.
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hope that though you see dimly now one day you will go home and see clearly! Let me tell you
a quick story before we move on.
“Harry Ironside tells of meeting a very godly man early in his ministry. The man
was dying of tuberculosis, and Ironside had gone to visit him. His name was
Andrew Fraser. He could barely speak above a whisper. His lungs were almost
gone. Yet he said, “Young man, you are trying to preach Christ, are you not?”
“Yes, I am,” replied Ironside. “Well,” he said, “sit down a little, and let us talk
together about the Word of God.” He opened his Bible, and until his strength
was gone he opened up one passage after another, teaching truths that
Ironside at that time had never seen or appreciated. Before long tears were
running down Ironside’s cheeks, and he asked, “Where did you get these
things? Can you tell me where I can find a book that will open them up to me?
Did you get them in a seminary or college?” Fraser replied, “My dear young
man, I learned these things on my knees on the mud floor of a little sod cottage
in the north of Ireland. There with my open Bible before me, I used to kneel for
hours at a time and ask the Spirit of God to reveal Christ to my soul and to open
the Word to my heart, and he taught me more on my knees on that mud floor
than I ever could have learned in all the seminaries or colleges in the world.”19
May you too from on your knees learn of the mysteries of God’s revelation and His blessings for
your lives!
Fifth: Prayer to Know the Hope of His Calling
How I pray that God might open the eyes of your heart so that your “whole inner life with
all its feelings, emotions and thinking” 20 might be focused on the hope in which you we called!
May self not be the focus of your calling but may your hope be found in His calling!21 Though
you had “no apprehension of spiritual things, no discernment and a foolish darkened heart,”22
even before the foundation of the world Christ chose to one day send ones to preach to you and
through the illumination (2 Corinthians 4:6) and power of the Holy Spirit and by your faith in the
atoning sacrifice of Christ you became a new creation, born of the water and Spirit (John 3:5)! 23
19
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 38.
20
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 134.
21
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 134.
22
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 181.
23
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 133.
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May God continue to enlighten the eyes of your hearts24 so that you might “grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of
Christ” and fully grasp the implications
of having received every spiritual
blessing in your Lord (Ephesians 1:3,
3:18)!25 May you come to know that
God’s grace, power, and glory are truly
unlimited26 and as such never stop
praying for knowledge, wisdom, hope,
glory, and power that comes from
above.27 Though you will walk through
many dark valleys of tribulations may
you consider them rubbish (Philippians
3:7-10) because this is not your home,
you are going to Zion28 as redeemed
masterpieces of God’s grace into His
29
divine presence. May God grant you “spiritual eyesight”30 to know that the living (1 Peter
1:3), blessed hope (Titus 2:13) of His calling is certain (Hebrews 6:11) and irrevocable;31 for it
has been sealed by none other than the Spirit of God Himself!32 So while you continue your
pilgrim journey may you respond to His gracious calling33 by living your lives entirely by faith34
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 133–134.
25
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 129.
26
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 130–131.
27
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 131.
28
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 36.
29
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 184.
30
F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New
International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1984), 270.
31
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 36–37.
32
F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New
International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1984), 270.
33
F. F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians, The New
International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1984), 271.
34
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 183.
24
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that being called from out of darkness to light was just the beginning of knowing and becoming
more like Him!35
Sixth: Prayer to Know the Riches of His Glorious Inheritance
How I pray that God would grant all of you a deeper understanding of what it means to be
God’s possession (1 Peter 2:9)!36 Though our sinful depravity is ever before us (Romans 3:9-18)
as brothers and sisters of a worm (Job
25:6), may we never forget that as
partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter
1:4) 37 we need not fear death (1
Corinthians 15:55) for there is no
condemnation for those found in Christ
(John 3:18) who has atoned and provided
for our perfect justification before our
Father (Romans 8:30).38 Though you
enjoy every spiritual blessing in Christ
such as prayer, Bible study, Christian
fellowship, meaningful work, and the
sacraments,39 may you never stop
looking up for the Lord who is our
shepherd (Psalms 23) 40 who will one day
return to bring His treasured possession41 home to share in the glorious inheritance of the saints
(Colossians 1:12)!42 Praise be to God on that day we will obtain absolute perfection, for what
was sown perishable, in dishonor, in weakness and natural will be raised imperishable, glorified,
and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:42-43)!43 On that glorious day God will forever change not only
35
Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary
Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 165.
36
Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary
Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 167.
37
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 189.
38
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 184.
39
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 37.
40
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 184.
41
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 135.
42
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 135.
43
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 185.
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our bodies but will drive out every sin from our very hearts44 so that we might feel our
indebtedness to grace so intensely that upon arrival in heaven our fervent love for our
Redeemer will inspire us to cast our crowns at His feet, and we shall ascribe our joy to Him
alone who chose us to be His treasured possession.45 Look forward to that the day when there
will be no more aches, pains, weariness or death (Revelation 21:4).46 In light of these glorious
truths let us be in awe that there are more blessings to come that no eye has seen, nor ear has yet
heard what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9)!47 So, never stop
looking onward and upward, running the race as to win the prize (Philippians 3:14)!
Seventh: Prayer to Know His Incomparably Great Power
And finally, I pray that you might live your lives in full knowledge of the greatness of
God’s power living within those who
believe in the Son.48 I know it is not
easy to live holy lives amongst people
whose depraved minds refuse to
acknowledge God’s existence and
sovereignty (Romans 1:28).49 It is
especially difficult to feel joy when
they persecute you because the Light
within you exposes their evil deeds
(John 3:20)! While this persecution
seems very personal never forget its
source is not flesh and blood but comes
from the powers of this dark world
(Ephesians 6:12). Then there are the
tribulations that one must persevere
(James 1:2-4) and the constant struggle
to become living sacrifices that push
50
aside sinful ways and embrace God’s will in their lives (Romans 12:1-2). When you feel hard
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 185.
45
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 189.
46
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 185.
47
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 186.
48
Arthur G. Patzia, Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Understanding the Bible Commentary
Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 167.
49
James Montgomery Boice, Ephesians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI:
Ministry Resources Library, 1988), 37.
50
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 190.
44
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pressed on every side, perplexed and persecuted (2 Corinthians 4:9) then please remember you
have access to God’s incomparably great power that can free you from hostile spiritual powers51
that keep you in the “tombs of sin by evil habit.” 52 Know that the sin that used to reign in your
mortal bodies it is easily defeated by the power that lives in you, 53 i.e., the Holy Spirit, that
raised Christ from the dead!54 By the same power that you have known in conversion you will
not only have your mind protected in Christ (Philippians 4:7) but will also have an impenetrable
barrier55 that not even the strongest of fiery darts of the devil can penetrate! Let me finish my
prayer for you with this one final quote from Charles Spurgeon: “be willing to let go the sin
which ruins you, be willing to learn the truth which will renew you; be willing to sit at Jesus’
feet, be willing to accept a finished salvation at His hands; and all the power that is wanted to
lift you from this place to the starry gates of heaven is waiting to be shed upon you.”56
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 138.
52
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 190.
53
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 190.
54
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 190–191.
55
Peter Thomas O’Brien, The Letter to the Ephesians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary
(Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1999), 136.
56
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Three Whats,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 25
(London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1879), 191.
51
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