A Great Prayer (The How and What of Prayer) EPHESIANS 3:14-21

Eph. 3: For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from 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 through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Eph. 3: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The Posture of Prayer 1. The posture of prayer “ For this cause, I bow my knees” “When I think of the wisdom and scope of His plan (for us), I fall down on my knees..” Is the posture of prayer important?

2. The Person to Whom we pray (God of our prayer) “ Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ” He is RICH, infinitely RICH He is ABLE! 3:20 “ Now to Him who is ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,..”

3. The Petitions Made (The Content of Prayer) 1. Strength for the Inner man The Bible makes a distinction of “inward man” and the “outward man” “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” 2 Co. 4:16 Jesus said: “ 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Mt. 10:28

3. The Petitions made (The content of Paul’s Prayer) 1. Strength for the inner man (a) “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”

3. The Petitions made (The content of Paul’s Prayer) 2. Know the Love of Christ (a) “ Rooted and grounded in love.”

3. The Petitions made (The content of Paul’s Prayer) 2. Know the Love of Christ (a ) “Rooted and grounded in love.” (b) The dimensions of this love

4. Have the Fullness of God (Experience and Enjoy) “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” All the fullness of God is in Jesus Christ (Col.2:9) The more Christ dwells in our hearts, the more we experience the full…

Paul’s Doxology (Hymn of Praise) Able Able to do Able to do what we ask Able to do what we think Able to do what we ask or think Able to do all that we ask or think Able to do above all that we ask or think Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think

Spiritual Application Paul’s prayer here is for 1. Spiritual Strength; For Christ to dwell (settle down) in our hearts 2. Knowing Christ’s love and 3. Enjoying the Fullness of God Let’s pray right here and today, that Jesus will rule our life through the power of the Holy Spirit We will know and share the love of Christ with others We will experience the very best that God has for us (the fullness of God) Call to Prayer/Dedication