2. Eph 1:15-23 Paul's Easter Prayer — For Us!

If someone says ‘please pray for me’ —they would not expect you to pray this kind of prayer!
Yet once you understand it, it really is a remarkably powerful prayer for each one of us.

Play Audio:

Video cover image by John Price Upsplash

Goal: To receive the power and victory in this prayer

Paul’s Easter Prayer — For Us!

v.15-16a The Reason Paul Prayed
v.16b-19 The Core of the Prayer
v.19b-23 The Power Available to Us

1. v.15-16a The Reason Paul Prayed

Ephesians 1:15-23

This is why, I also having heard about

your trust in the Lord Jesus

and your love for all the holy ones

Never cease giving thanks for you

making mention of you in my prayers

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory

would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.

that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you will know

what is the hope of his calling

what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance: the holy ones

and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe

according to the working of the might of his strength ²⁰which he worked in Christ

raising him from the dead

and seating him at his right hand in the heavenly places

far above every ruler and authority and power and dominion

and every position that exists, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things in subjection under his feet

and gave him as head over all things to the church

which indeed is his body, the fullness of the one who is filling all in all.

Translation and structure by Andrew Fountain

2. v.16b-19 The Core of the Prayer

Psalm 19

The laws of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.

v.16b-19 The Core of the Prayer

What he has already done, (he has loved us and called us to be his) which leads to a certain hope
What is will do in the next life, the inheritance
But is this our inheritance?
The power available to us now!

Ephesians 1:1-14

v.1-3 Introduces the blessing

v.4-7 What God has already done in the past
v.8-10 Revelation of a plan for the present
v.11-14 Future inheritance

3. v.19b-23 The Power Available to Us

Key Idea

The power available to us who believe
Is the same power
That raised Jesus from the dead
And continued to raise him higher and higher
Yes, it’s the same power!!

Christ is higher than:

All Covid viruses and other health challenges
- All immigration authorities
  - All employment agencies and H/R departments
    - All relationships
      - All finances

and this is very true, but it is not Paul’s primary focus here!
- How do I know?
1. In other letters there are parallel verses which are more specific
2. Because this is not how he applies it later in Ephesians

Col 2 (Cross & Resurrection)

Having stripped powers and authorities,
he made a public display of them, triumphing over them in it.
Therefore let no one judge you…

Col 2 Self-condemning guilt

[Do not submit yourselves to:]
self-imposed religion,
self-abasement,
and unsparing treatment of the body,
but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Summary

Ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart so you see
- The love and security he has called you into
- The incredible richness of your future
- The power available to you
Ask God to help you walk in the truth of your true status
- Your beloved in higher than the highest
- Don’t tell yourself lies, or allow others to tell you them
Focus on what God wants you to do, and you have nothing to fear!

Last updated on 9 Apr 2023
Published on 9 Apr 2023