Shalom,
Have you begun to pray Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1 for people that you know and care about? I hope you have! Today we'll look at the second prayer of Paul in Ephesians chapter 3:
Eph 3:14-21 (KJV)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Paul prays here that God the Father would "grant" (Greek word: didomi, which means to give, to bestow, to furnish necessary things, to endue) you, or whoever you are praying for, (out of HIS abundance, fulness, richness) to be strengthened (empowered, invigorated, made strong) with might (dunamis: miracle working power!) which comes by His Spirit, Who lives in you!
Paul also prays here that you would have the faith and trust and confidence that He really does live in you, by His Spirit. Then he prays that you will be rooted and grounded (be firmly established with a solid foundation) in love (Greek: agape). This love is the God kind of love. It is unconditional love, seeing others just as God sees them, through HIS eyes! Treating others the same way that God treats us! Looking at every person as precious and valuable, because we ALL are to Him!
Paul goes on to pray that we (all the saints, God's people) would be able to comprehend (to perceive, understand, possess) that love that God has for us. To understand the awesome power of His love for us and in us! To know (ginosko: learn to know, come to know, become acquainted with and understand) this force of agape love that CANNOT fail, so that we can be in a state of being filled to overflowing (replete, crammed full and complete) with all of HIS fulness!
Paul finishes this prayer by giving glory and praise back to the Father, recognizing that He is able (and willing!) to do, for us, so much more (exceedingly and abundantly, far beyond) than we can even ask, think, dream or imagine! He does it by that same power of the Holy Spirit, living in us, that raised Jesus from the dead!To Him be ALL honor and glory forever! Amen! Here is the Amplified Bible on these verses:
Eph. 3:14-21 (Amplified)
14For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].
16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
17May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
20Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--
21To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
Add this prayer to the one in Ephesians chapter 1 for all those you would like to see set free, delivered and living a life that is powerful in the Lord! Remember that His Word IS His will. If we pray according to His will, then He hears that prayer and we have the answer! Hallelujah!
Shalom in Him!
