Ephesians: Paul’s Prayer Continues: Father Please…
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… give them _________________,
For this reason I kneel before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Eph 3:14)
The Pharisee stood and prayed about himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people, robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. (Lk 18:11)
He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, (Lk 22:41)
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, (Php 2:10)
from whom the entire family in heaven and on earth receives its name. (Eph 3:15)
In Bible times a name was not just a convenient handle chose at random. Rather, it was used to describe the outstanding qualities of him to who the name was given.
16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he would strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner self, 17a so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. (Eph 3:16–17a)
and to put on the new self, which has been created to be like God in righteousness and true holiness. (Eph 4:24)
He went a little farther, fell on his face, and prayed. He said, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Mt 26:39)
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith …
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It starts with _________________ in Jesus for _____________________.
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It involves being happy _____________ because of ___________.
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It involves _____________________ in Jesus’ our great Shepherd’s _________.
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It involves being __________________ by love for Jesus in _______ that I think or say or do.
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It involves _______________ forward to Jesus _____________ on Judgment Day.
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It involves having Christ as the _____________ of my _________.
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It involves knowing that this list is only _____________________ the _______________ of the depth of this statement.
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… give them ____________________,
17b Then, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 I pray that you would be able to comprehend, along with all the saints, how wide and long and high and deep his love is, (Eph 3:17b–18)
… a holy temple (Eph 2:21)
22 Pilate said to them, “Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Crucify him!” … 25b “Let his blood be on us and on our children!” (Mt 27:22, 25b)
and that you would be able to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge (Eph 3:19a)
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… give them ________________.
so that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:19b)
In fact, it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure. (Php 2:13)
20 Now to him, who is able, according to the power that is at work within us, to do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20–21)
A doxology is a short _________ or verse of _______________ to God, often used in Christian worship services. The term comes from the Greek words δόξα (dō-xa), which means ___________ and λόγος (lō-gōs) which means _________ or _____________, literally meaning "words of glory" or "saying of praise."
I have glorified you on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. (Jn 17:4)
Points to Ponder
- What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
- In verse 14 Paul says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father…” Why do you think Paul chooses to pray rather than teach or instruct at this moment? What does Paul’s posture in prayer (bowing his knees) tell us about his relationship with God?
- Paul prays for believers to be “strengthened … through His Spirit in your inner self.” What do you think this inner strengthening looks like in everyday life?
- What does it mean to you that God’s love is described with dimensions—“wide, long, high, and deep”? How have you experienced this in your own walk with Christ?
- Verse 20 speaks of God doing “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” Share a time when God did more than you expected in your life or someone else's.
- Paul’s prayer ends with glory to God “in the church and in Christ Jesus.” What role does the church have in revealing God's glory today?
Homework: Ephesians 4
