Paul's Prayers in Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians

Paul’s prayers are gradually making an impression on me. I have been conscious of them for 67 of my 72 years as a Christian. Notice some of the phrases from his prayers in Ephesians 1:15-19, 3:14-18, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12:

• “His incomparably great power to us who believe”
• “that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God”
• “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth and insight”
• “that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ”
• “that you may please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work”
• “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened”
• “the hope of His calling”
• “the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints”
• “to know this love that surpasses knowledge”
• “that He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being”
• “to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding”
• “that you may live a life worthy of the Lord”
• “that you may please Him in every way”
• “that you would bear fruit in every good work”

When Paul prayed for the saints, he prayed in superlatives. It seems too much to us to pray that way. God inspired these prayers. If that is true, then God would answer them, and if answered, the Colossian saints were indeed “filled with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

None of the things in these phrases are commands or suggestions. No one can obey them. The only way for them to happen is for God to do them, in answer to our prayers.

This post coordinates with the #SamePageSummer Bible Reading Challenge. Join the challenge here - we'd love to have you reading with us!

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