A Prayer Primer: Ephesians 3.14-21

Many people view prayer in the wrong ways-

• It is a last resort when other things do not work out.
• It is a chance to tell God what to do, or what I want.
• It is a waste of time when nothing productive happens.
• It is a superstition that has gone out of fashion.

These things are all wrong. You and I know that we should pray more than we do. Even the most devoted, committed, faithful and persistent pray-ers wish that they could or did spend more time in intimate conversation with God. We are no different.

My challenge today is to start by praying a little more each day for the next month. Do not try to pray for an hour tomorrow morning. If you are used to praying for five minutes, increase it to seven minutes. If you usually pray for 15 minutes, make it 20 for the next month. You will be amazed at the outcome.

One other problem is that too many Christians have never learned how to pray. We honestly do not know what to say, or how to have a relationship with God. The best rule for this is to just start. Be honest with yourself and with the Lord. Talk to him. See what happens. With experience it will become easier.

Paul gives what is essentially a model prayer in this passage.

1. Pray for spiritual strength (v. 16). Since God is the source of all power, we can rest assured that he is able to help us when we face all sorts of struggles.
2. Pray for the consistent presence of Christ in your life (v. 17). There are so many temptations and distractions in the world that walking always in the faith of Christ is important.
3. Pray for the love of Christ (v. 18). Too many people, even Christians, are lonely, depressed, frustrated and lonely. The love of Christ is all-encompassing, however. You and I never have to feel unloved again.
4. Pray for the fullness of Christ (v.19). God has blessings for all who follow him. It is up to you and I to welcome his presence and fullness into our lives. He will only fill us to the extent that we allow him.

Let this model be your prayer for the coming days. For the sake of God's glory, and the establishing of his kingdom in your life. Amen.

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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3.20-21