For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named
Ephesians 3: 14-15 (KJV)
Paul can’t help himself again. The end of Ephesians 3 is another prayer. This devotion looks at intercessory prayer and praying for God’s Family.
Nuggets
- Yes, we can pray anywhere and don’t have to close our eyes; but I think it is important to assume the position when we can.
- The only thing that will last is God and His Family — the church.
- God will not change His ideologies.
When I first read these two verses, I thought, “What in the world am I going to do with those?” When I started thinking about it, it really made sense.
Let's Put It into Context
The worldview tells us that we should look out for ourselves. God doesn’t want us to do that.
We are also supposed to look out for each other. One way we do this is through intercessory prayer.
Intercessory prayer is when we pray on behalf of others. It is kind of a throwback to the priests. They interceded for the nation of Israel.
One of the best examples is that of Jesus Himself. On the cross, He prayed, “… Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do …” (Lk. 23: 34 ESV). The Redeemer was praying for those who needed redeeming.
Scriptures direct us to pray for each other.
- “[The LORD] is astonished to see that there is no one to help the oppressed. So he will use his own power to rescue them and to win the victory” (Isa. 59: 16 GNT).
- “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ” (Gal. 6: 2 NLT). Sometimes, the only way to share someone else’s burden is to listen as they talk, be there for them, and pray.
- “First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them” (I Tim. 2: 1 CEV).
To read Why Should We Pray for Other Believers?, click on the button below.
You see, Paul knew that we have to pray for others to be strengthened — not just physically, but spiritually. We have to pray that God invades their lives so that they are filled by His Spirit.
Remember we said that God reveals Himself to us in our core, which is where He lives in us.
To read
What is the Spirit of Wisdom?
and
Peace, Mercy, and Love,
click on the appropriate button below.
We are to pray that others grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus (II Pet. 3: 8). Our goal is to be filled with His love and hope.
Also, we must pray for others’ discernment that they would use the gifts that God has given them in order to accomplish the tasks assigned to them.
Assume the Position
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father” (Eph. 3: 14 RSV).
I think we’ve gotten out of the habit of kneeling to pray to God. I get it. As we get older and older, it gets more difficult to get up and down.
Besides, if we are going to “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5: 17 NKJV), it won’t always be on our knees and our eyes closed. It is kind of hard to drive a car that way.
Yes, we can pray anywhere. No, we don’t have to close our eyes. And I think God is perfectly fine with that.
But I think it is important to assume the position when we can. It drives home that we have to give control to the Father, the Creator of all there is. We always have to make sure we are giving God the honor that is due Him — that is not contingent on our position when we pray.
God is the Father of Jesus, isn’t He? Jesus is the Savior of the world, isn’t He? They deserve our honor and praise.
How Does Our Prayers Influence God?
We have to see that our prayers are being answered. If we keep asking for something and don’t see that our prayers make a difference, we may get discouraged.
I think in the overall scheme of things, God has some unconditionals. These are things that are going to happen a certain way because that is how His kingdom will be expanded.
I mean, He told Jesus “no” in the Garden of Gethsemane (Lk. 22: 42). We all know how that turned out. That would have been a deal breaker.
What kind of car I drive is not a deal breaker. No one else — except maybe Adam — is going to care. So, if I pray to own a convertible again, that is just my choice.
What I know is that God wants us to ask. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Mt. 7: 7 NASB). Ask Him, and our needs will be met. Seek Him and knock on His door, and we will be given eternal life.
Families Revisited
“from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named” (Eph. 3: 15 RSV).
Okay, I confess. I first read this and thought, “Paul, what in the world are you talking about?”
Before we talked that we join God’s Family upon conversion. We talked about how that should unify us. That can be difficult at times because the family is made up of individuals that, while they have similarities, have different experiences and values.
We have many groups today that try to replace the family. My Ladies and I have talked about this on many occasions.
Before, society focused on the family and the church. People did not work outside the homes.
Then came industry. Industry needed workers that may or may not have been in close proximity to the plants. Cities were formed when people relocated to get jobs in those plants.
Activities sprung up to connect people and fill up their leisure time. People sought out others who thought as they did, played as they did, dreamed as they did.
The problem with that is it doesn’t last. It doesn’t fix the brokenness of the world.
The only thing that will last is God and His Family — the church. Everything else will end.
God will not change His ideologies. He will not reinvent Himself. He will not retcon anything.
How do we know? Look at His name. “… I am who I am …” (Ex. 3: 14 RSV). Point blank. Not I am who I am going to be. Not I am not who I was.
I am who I am.
We are the church because of Jesus. Point blank. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Ac. 4: 12 NIV). No Jesus, no church. No Jesus, no salvation.
We are named children of God because of Jesus. How do we know? “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done” (Rev. 20: 12 ESV).
When we admit our sins, believe on Jesus as Redeemer, and confess God as Sovereign Lord, our names will be written in the Book of Life. We all have God as our Father. We all were sinners. We all have Jesus as our Savior.
How Do We Apply This?
God is a loving Father. He wants to answer our prayers.
We just have to make sure that we are asking. He can’t answer what we don’t ask.
We have to make sure we give God the honor that is due Him. We can bring Him down to our level. We have to acknowledge Him Sovereignty.
Almighty God. We praise You for Your power and strength. We are in awe of Your creativity. We are humbled by Your love. Help us to pray to You more. Help us to see Your answers. Give us a heart to pray for others, especially for their spiritual condition. Amen.
What do you think?
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