Introduction
Sometimes people don't pray because they don't know where to start. This is common, and there's no need to feel embarrassed. Even Jesus' disciples asked Him how to pray in Luke 11. Jesus taught them what we call the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4), which can be memorized and repeated. But Jesus probably meant for it to guide them on how to pray and what to pray for, not just as a set of words to recite.

Today, we will look at another model of prayer based on Ephesians chapter 1. It's not the only way to pray, but it's helpful when we're unsure how to pray for others and the church.

Today’s Scripture
Ephesians chapter 1:15-23 (New Living Translation)

"Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself."

Explanation and Reflection
Let's break down how Paul prays for the church at Ephesus:

1. Consistent Prayer (Verses 15-18)
Paul prays continuously for the believers in Ephesus, not just once in a while. This shows that he believes prayer works. Imagine if we prayed like we believed it worked. Often, we only pray as a last resort. Instead, we should pray first and pray often, truly believing in the power of prayer. Do you pray continuously, believing prayer works?

2. Pray for Wisdom and Knowledge (Verses 17-18)
Paul prays for the church to have spiritual wisdom and knowledge. This wisdom isn't about becoming an encyclopedia of Bible facts. It's about understanding who God is personally, who Jesus is relationally, and our hope as believers. We should pray for others to deeply understand and love the God of the Bible, not a god of our own making. This involves praying to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and growing in an authentic relationship with them. Do you pray for fellow believers to go deeper into the Trinity?

3. Pray to Understand God’s Power (Verses 19-22)
Paul prays for the believers to understand God's great power. This power raised Jesus from the dead and is alive in us too. It's not just an abstract idea; it's real and powerful in our lives. Paul also prays for the church to recognize Christ's authority over everything in creation. This authority means that everyone will eventually bow to Jesus, whether willingly now or by force later (Philippians 2:9-11). We should pray for others to use resurrection power for God's kingdom (not ourselves) and willingly submit to Jesus in all areas of life. Do you pray that fellow believers understand and leverage resurrection power for God’s kingdom? Do you pray for fellow believers to submit to the authority of Christ in all areas of their lives?

4. Pray for the Church (Verses 22-23)
Paul’s prayers are not just for individuals but for the whole church. The church is essential and should be a part of our prayers. We should pray for our church leaders, staff, members, new believers, and different ministries. Do you pray for your church regularly to go deeper spiritually?

By learning from Paul's prayer for the church at Ephesus, we can improve our prayer life and ensure we cover both physical and spiritual needs, especially for our church community.

Question of the Day
Here are questions for you to think about and apply:
Does your prayer life reflect spiritual needs and issues rather than just physical ones (sickness, finances, family issues, etc.)? Do you pray for your church regularly? How can you change your prayer life to include more fluency and more spiritual content?