Let’s play a little game: I will give you a name and you picture that person’s greatest prayer. Solomon – What was it? His request for wisdom, or his prayer at the dedication of the temple? Samson – strength to glorify God and to bring down Dagon’s temple? Abraham – Was it his conversation about a son; deliverance of Lot from Sodom? Moses – show me thy glory. David – the Psalm pleading for the Lord’s forgiveness? Gideon – the will of the Lord in the fleece? Elijah – on Mt. Carmel? The Lord Jesus – John 17? Paul – Ephesians 3???
This prayer reveals much about Paul’s theology. Does he believe in the omnipotence of God? “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us….” Does he believe in the love of God; that he careth for us? Listen to his description of God’s love. This prayer also reveals the depths of Paul’s love for Christ. Does Paul pray for his enemies as he has been commanded? Does he show a heavenly-mindedness or are his prayers of the self-centered variety? Does he yearn for the glory of God?
This is one of my favorite scriptures. It is certainly one of my favorite Biblical prayers. Briefly this evening, let’s consider just a couple of points.
Does Paul have a primary purpose in this prayer – or does he just ramble?
He begins by saying, “I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…” Paul recognized the importance of the city of Ephesus, and the spiritual opportunities there. But for some time initially, the Holy Spirit forbade him to minister in Ephesus. Rather he was sent across the Aegean Sea into Europe: to Macedonia and Greece. But after returning to Antioch, he made quick stop here. We read of this in Acts 18. There he left Aquila and his wife. And later Apollos went to Ephesus, and spent some time before moving on to Corinth. Finally Paul returned to that great capitol of Asia, and a wonderful ministry began. The power of the Holy Spirit fell on many. Paul spent three months preaching in the Jewish synagogue until he was kicked out. Then he took up teaching and preaching in the school of Tyranus. There were all kinds of miracles – Acts 19:11-12. There were Jewish sorcerers and exorcists smitten by the Holy Spirit. And many Gentiles came to know the Lord and His salvation. But then began some genuine trouble. The gospel had hurt the profits of the purveyors of idolatry. One Demetrius incited a riot of hatred against Paul and the saints. The city was split three ways: Jews, Gentiles and the Christians. At that time some would certainly have killed Paul if they could laid hands on him. That marked the beginning of an on-going persecution against the saints which lasted some time. Paul spoke of “fighting lions in Ephesus,” and that is probably to what he referred. But without doubt there were saints that died under the fangs of real beasts there.
As Paul was led of the Spirit away from the city, he left a battle scarred church. And it was a battle scared church too. They suffered, and they feared for Paul in the midst of his tribulations as well. We haven’t experienced tribulation, and some of us may find it difficult even to imagine. Yet thousands of early saints were forced to recant their allegiance to Christ because of persecution and fear for the people that they loved. This was the purpose of this prayer. It was for the perseverance of the saints in their walk with Christ.
Now, do you believe in the keeping power of God’s grace? That is precisely what the Word of God teaches. But what about those who recant their testimony to save their lives or the lives of their loved ones? Should we question or doubt the profession of salvation when someone later appears to turn away? Can someone deny Christ and be a true child of the Lord? As far Paul was concerned, the faithfulness of these people was a matter of concern and therefore a matter of prayer. It doesn’t matter if the reason is physical abuse or mental anguish – or false doctrine as in Galatia. Falling away from the Lord is serious business. And turning from the Lord’s church is serious as well. So we are encouraged here to pray for God’s strength in order to abide faithful. Pray for your children and your parents; pray for your friends and pray for your own heart. Because persecution appears to be coming our way.
Now consider Paul’s posture.
Does God only listen to the prayers uttered from positions of perfect posture? Did you have one of those mothers, who kept telling you over and over again to sit up straight? Maybe it was at the dinner table – it was as though if you didn’t sit up straight you couldn’t eat. Some of us were led to believe that we’d starve to death if we didn’t have correct posture. What about posture in prayer? The Christian idolaters around us, pray with a variety of forms and systems. Some genuflect as they come into their sanctuary. And they make the sign of the cross before or after their prayers – or both before and after. Some churches have kneelers or kneeling cushions, and people are told when to use them. But of course, we don’t do that sort of thing, and yet sometimes we kneel and sometimes fold hands. In a few minutes some of us will kneel and some of us will sit, and we’ve already prayed standing. Does God hear only the prayers of the kneelers or the standers?
Many Hindus believe in written prayers, just as do a lot of modern pastors. But unlike most Christians, the Hindus put their prayers in what resembles child’s noise-makers. And then they spin those prayers around and around. The power of their prayer seems to be based on the how dizzy they make their prayer requests. “Superstition” we mutter, and it is true. But is not kneeling and folding our hands superstition and ritual as well? Without a doubt sometimes it is. What about those Christians who hold their hands aloft? Generally speaking what sort of attitude does that depict? To my heart that posture is a bit too proud, a bit too bold, a bit braggadocios. But is it wrong or sinful if the heart of the person is right?
Why does Paul kneel to pray? I think that for him it was a symbol of humility. And “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” Aren’t we praying for God’s grace? Kneeling is also a sign of reverence to God. And it speaks of submission. It used to be that the defeated army and its leadership had to kneel before the victor. And with the face looking down, the neck was exposed to the sword.
But isn’t it true that if the heart is humble, reverent and submissive, the posture is unimportant? What is the condition of your heart this evening? Are you fit to lead us in prayer?
One more thing – think about the Person of Paul’s prayer.
Paul addressed his prayer to the Father in Heaven. We have been directed to pray – “Our Father which art in Heaven, allowed be thy name…” But there is something peculiar about Paul’s prayer. He did not say, “OUR Father,” or simply “THE Father.” He prays to “the father of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The way this is worded reminds us that our access to the Father is through Christ. I say that based on the evidence of the next verse: “Of whom….” relates back to the nearest antecedent.
And who is the whole family? Of course it includes the redeemed. We are all children of God who have faith in Christ Jesus. “As many as have received him to them gives he power to become sons of God.” This speaks of those who are God’s children through saving grace. But it also might include the Holy Angels. Servants in a house were often thought of as a part of the family, albeit not sons. Whatever, Paul implies that it is only the family that has a right to petition the Father.
But notice the word “named.” This does not mean simply that we are called “Christians.” This means that we bear, quite literally, the name of the Father. He has given us His name, and all that it means. “As many as received him to them gave he AUTHORITY as sons.” We shall be given a new name in eternity; it will be the name of our God. If we pray aright, we pray as people with God’s Name – in Christ.
For what do you pray? With what sort of attitude do you pray? And what relationship do you have to the one who grants prayer?