A House of Prayer Ephesians 1:16-18

For what should a church pray? Health in the congregation? Increase in offerings? Increase in membership?

The prayer of the Apostle Paul “Wherefore I also…cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers” Ephesians 1:15-16

The praying of the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian Church was non-stop, continuous praying.

The motivation for his prayers “Wherefore” “…after I heard…”

A prayer all churches should adopt as a priority. For what was the Apostle Paul making non-stop, ceaseless prayers for this congregation? A prayer all churches should adopt as a priority.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” Ephesians 1:17

Paul is praying that the church would know the Father and the Son better. A prayer all churches should adopt as a priority.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” Ephesians 1:17

The Heavenly Father is building a house for His Son and Bride. Is our understanding of His impressiveness deepened, widened? Do we find Him progressively more impressive?

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” Ephesians 1:17

“…of wisdom and revelation…” Understanding and uncovering Uncovering of things unknown and intelligence of the meaning

“…the spirit of wisdom and revelation…” Paul is praying that God would do a spiritual work to uncover and cause understanding.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him” Ephesians 1:17

object “known” thus more powerfully influencing him. A full, thorough knowledge producing greater participation by the “knower” in the object “known” thus more powerfully influencing him.

A full knowledge of the One Stone of the building that causes function in the knowledge of him A full knowledge of the One Stone of the building that causes function The better we know Him, the better we trust Him

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened” Ephesians 1:18a.

opened, the light already illuminating their vision. The ability to think through what Paul is praying that the Father will give is already theirs. Their eyes are already opened, the light already illuminating their vision.

“that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18b.

Know – ability to recognize what has entered your vision; hence to perceive. Since the eyes of their understanding were already enlightened, they can perceive.