Philippians 1:3-11, A Prayer for Intelligent Love (1)

For whom is Paul praying? The Church in Philippi

Specifically, all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons (Phil. 1:1).  As the prayer itself indicates, this was a church for which Paul had a lot of affection.  Acts 16 contains the story of Paul’s establishment of the Church at Philippi.  It was the first church in what is today Europe.  He landed there by the miraculous leading of the Holy Spirit. 

To whom is Paul praying?  “my God”

Paul does not speak like this to distinguish between his God and the God of the Philippians.  He is the same.  Rather, he expresses his personal relationship with God, which should encourage those who read this letter in how they relate to God. 

What words, phrases, titles, names are applied to God by Paul?

Paul refers to God as He who has begun a good work in you (v6).  The request in this prayer is for a love that grows in knowledge and insight.  Thus, this reference to God says something about God that relates to the request.  A part of God’s completing His work in their lives involves their growth in love.

In v8 he says, God is my witness.  This is just Paul's way of assuring these believers of his own love for them, and that his love is deep and sincere (the affection of Jesus Christ).

What moves Paul to pray? “remembrance” of the Philippians

If you read the story in Acts 16 you would understand first how amazing was the work of God.  The story involves Paul’s first recorded experience of prison (he had already been stoned and left for dead, Acts 14:19-20).  He and Silas were miraculously delivered, and the jailer’s family all became believers.  But more than his first contact with them is the fact that they continued to be a part of Paul’s ministry after he left Philippi.  He speaks of this in Phil. 4:14-16.  When Paul says upon every remembrance of you it tells us his entire time in Philippi was a good experience.  He has no regrets.

His prayer request arises from some of the matters facing the church.  They were facing a doctrinal challenge (Phil. 3:2).  But also, there was an argument taking place that seemed to have a significant effect on the group (Phil. 4:2-3).  There was apparently some complaining and disputing (Phil. 2:14-15).  It does not appear there was major division in the church but there were matters that required some intelligent love. 

In the end, it was a church well appreciated by Paul that needed to work through some things.  No matter how well things are going, there is always a need to apply intelligent love in relationships.  So, Paul is thankful, and yet mindful to pray for them.

Psalm 13

Jesus called those who labor and are heavy with care to come to Him so He could give them rest (Matt. 11:28).  God bids us come into His very throne room, through the priestly work of Christ, to find grace and mercy in time of need (Heb. 4:14-16).  These kinds of invitations assume two things at least: 1) there are needy people; and 2) God cares for them.  

You may think the Psalmist is out of place to accuse God of “unkindness” (as Matthew Henry puts it), to be too late with His help, and in fact to be an absent Partner in their relationship.  But in fact this is God’s servant expressing his heart, the starting place in approaching God.  He FEELS this way.  But if you read the entirety of this short hymn, you know it is not the ending place.  He will go out of his secret place rejoicing and trusting God’s mercy.

The fact that he is in God’s presence with this matter is quite possibly the result of having no one else to turn to.  He has been reduced to taking “counsel in my soul” (v2).  When he seeks this advice from within himself he finds only sorrow or discouragement.  But he will not walk “in the counsel of the ungodly” (Ps. 1:1).  The “counsel of the nations” is ineffective (Ps. 33:10).  Only the counsel of the LORD will stand (Ps. 33:11).  Even if there are godly people around us, who will accept us in our pain and will compassionately pray for us and, yes, counsel us, we will still be wise to follow David into the sanctuary.  For in order to have victory against the enemy (v2,4) we not only need God’s word; we need God’s mercy and salvation (v5).

Perhaps we should remind ourselves of one more thing about God, so that we will not hesitate to come to Him in every situation we face.  When we come to Him He will deal with us “without reproach” (James 1:5).  He will not make light of our need.  He will not criticize us for not coming up with the answer on our own.  James says in the same verse, He is the God “who gives to all liberally,” echoing David’s conclusion at the end of the Psalm: “I will sing to the LORD because He has dealt bountifully with me”.

Let nothing keep you from the prayer room today and every day.  Not only does the Son long to give you rest, and the Father ready to grant grace and mercy; you will also find the Spirit ready to join you in prayer when you do not know what to say (Rom. 8:26).  How blessed to have this Trinity of invitations.  RSVP now.  And then show up early!

Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for God’s Fullness (4)

When the Holy Spirit is at work strengthening the  inner man of those who have been rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, He is truly coming to be at home in our lives.  As Christ lives in us, we see and “comprehend”, more and more, His love in all its dimensions as we continue on our pilgrimage.  The logical conclusion of the end of this is that we are filled with the fullness of God.  We become consumed by God.  He fills our thoughts, our heart, our very being (soul).  To be filled with His fullness is to love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  This is, of course, the greatest commandment.  What the command in and of itself could not do (make us love God with all we are) Christ has done by filling us with Himself and His love.

But, believe it or not, this is still not the end of this prayer.  Eph. 3:20-21 are a “benediction” at the end of Eph. 1-3.  It adds two things to this prayer.

·       First, there is another encouragement to our faith.  Paul is counting on Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think to answer this prayer.  God truly is powerful and fully capable.  We see this in three words used in our passage.  In v16 Paul prayed they would be strengthened (empowered, Greek dunamis) with might (God’s power, Greek kratos).  That is why the Holy Spirit must do this work, because the power is divine power.  Then in v20 Paul speaks of the power (Greek dunamis) that works (energizes, Greek energeo) in us.  Because Paul began this prayer by asking God to empower them by His power, he now is assured that God is energizing the believers with His great power. 

·       Second, there is something beyond our being filled with God’s fullness, something greater that is accomplished.  To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  All of this is for the glory of God, and specifically glory that He would receive IN the church and BY Christ Jesus. 

o   Back in v18, when Paul spoke of comprehending the surpassing love of Christ, he noted that they would do this with all the saints.  All the church, Jews and Gentiles, will have the same experience of Christ’s love that will result in the fullness of God.  This is available to every believer.  Now he is saying that through this, God will receive glory in the church. 

o   And have you noticed: Christ is at the center of this entire matter.  He must be truly at home in the believer; and it is His all surpassing love that must and will be comprehended.  Thus the glory goes to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. 

For whom can you pray this prayer?  You know it is God’s will.  So let us pray in faith that God might be glorified more and more.

Psalm 103:11-18, Prayer for God’s Fullness (3)

Paul’s prayer for strength in the inner man has the day-by-day effect of Christ being more and more at home on the throne of our lives.  The Christ we are talking about is the One who loved me and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).  So we now ask, what will it mean having this most loving Savior to be dwelling in us?

What is to be accomplished by fulfillment of this request?

When the believer is more accustomed to the presence and reign of Christ in his life, he becomes more accustomed to the life of love that is the Christian life.  We have been rooted and grounded in love; but as we go through life we are surprised time and again as we see that love of Christ displayed in and through us.  This is a love that we could never imagine or be taught in school.  It only comes through life’s experiences, as we come to see love in all its dimensions.

·       His love is wide, extending to every person, in every circumstance.  We may think that some people deserve to be hated by God because they hate God, until we see a person like that come to bow his knee to Christ, receiving Him as their Savior.  We learn that God’s blessings fall on the just and the unjust.  Even the tax collector and the prostitute are loved by God.

·       His love is long, extending for a long time.  We find that the Scriptures are true when God describes Himself as “longsuffering” (Ex. 34:6).  Christ extended love until the very end of the life of the thief on the cross.  His love for Israel endured much grumbling and complaining, and in the end, will even endure their rejection of the Messiah.  He drew them with gentle cords, with bands of love (Hos. 11:4).  His love is an everlasting love. 

·       His love is high, with extreme sacrifice.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13).  While we were still sinners Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).  The epistle to the Hebrews demonstrates this high love, how God became one of us that He might be our High Priest, while at the same time being our sacrifice, the Lamb of God! 

·       His love is deep, for the deepest need.  In love God reach into the depths of the sea to show His mercy to Jonah (Jonah 2:6), who then showed His mercy to the lost people of Nineveh (Jonah 4:11). 

Todays reading from Psalm 103 emphasizes this love of God, in its height (v11), width (v12), depth (v13) and length (v14-18). 

Here is the point.  We are rooted and grounded in love.  But it takes a lifetime for us to come to comprehend the truly great love of Christ.  Even the Gentiles, having no hope and without God in the world have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 2:12-13).  But still, this is not the end result of this prayer.

Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for God’s Fullness (2)

We are continuing to consider Paul’s prayer request in this prayer.

·       Paul first prays for strength in the inner man, v16.  This work of the Holy Spirit is not complicated.  He is praying that the inner man will grow and mature, moving from spiritual infancy to what Hebrews 5:14 refers to as “full age.”  Paul writes this from prison.  He knows living the Christian life faithfully requires strength.  So, he prays for this.  But what does that mean?

·       The result of this inner strength is that Christ dwells in our heart, v17a.  The word dwell has the idea of truly being at home.  This is what it means to grow spiritually.  It’s not that Christ is more comfortable with the believer; it is that the believer is more comfortable with Christ reigning in his life. 

·       Paul’s language indicates they were already “rooted and grounded in love.”  The life of a Christian has its beginnings in the most powerful demonstrate of love in all of history: the cross of Jesus Christ.  It is God who loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:10).  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16).  Thus, we are rooted and grounded in love.  Furthermore, Jesus loved His disciples to the end (John 13:1), a love which moved Him to send the Holy Spirit to help them in His absence; as He said, I will not leave you orphans (John 14:15-18).

Again, there is one request: that God would, by His Spirit, strengthen them in the inner man.  As this happens, Christ dwells more deeply in the heart of the believer, having been rooted and grounded in love.   

What resources does Paul mention that make it possible for the need to be met?

There are two great encouragements associated with this request.  The second is that what Paul is requesting is in the realm of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  He is our “Helper” who can strengthen us on the inside.  Inner strength is far more important to the believer than physical strength, a fact made obvious by the many who have born a strong testimony for Christ while they were tortured and killed for their faith.  The Holy Spirit is able to help us in this.  The first encouragement to our faith is that Paul asks God to do this according to the riches of His glory.  These “riches” are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints mentioned in the previous prayer in Ephesians (1:18).  There is enough “strength” for the inner man of every believer because God has an abundance of His strength to spare. 

The request has been made.  But the reason for and effect of that request is still to come.  As Scripture says (Isa. 64:4; 1 Cor. 2:9): Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.  This prayer leads to an amazing conclusion.

Ephesians 3:14-21, Prayer for God’s Fullness (1)

For whom is Paul praying?  The Church at Ephesus

To whom is Paul praying?  “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”

What words, phrases, titles, names, etc. are applied to God by Paul?

God is the One from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.  The context of Ephesians helps us to understand this truth about God.  Paul was sent to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles (3:8).  As we have noted in earlier posts, the New Covenant was promised to Israel.  But through Israel it was to come to the Gentiles as well.  For a variety of reasons, Gentile believers might see themselves as second-class citizens of the Kingdom of God.  Such a view would be a denial of who they are and what they have “in Christ.”  Thus, Paul cries out to the Father from whom all in the family of God are named, whether those in heaven (primarily OT saints, along with the beginnings of “graduates” from the age of the Church) or those on earth (at this point, the Church).  Regardless of how many nationalities, there was only one “whole family.” 

What moves Paul to pray? 

It seems apparent that Paul actually began to record this prayer back in Eph. 3:1. He begins, For this reason I.  But then, by the Holy Spirit, he is led to speak of his special “dispensation” (ministry) of preaching the riches of Christ to the Gentiles.  Then, in 3:14, he again says, For this reason.  If this is the case, then the motivation for this prayer comes at the end of Eph. 2: Now, therefore, you (Gentiles) are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, and so forth (2:19-22).  The enmity between Jew and Gentiles has been abolished by the Prince of Peace (2:14-18).  All believers, whether Jew or Gentiles, need to think according to this truth.

What requests does Paul present?

As with the previous prayer, let us give an overview of the prayer.

The basic request: that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man

The immediate effect on the believer:

that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

you, being rooted and grounded in love 

The long term effect on the believer:

able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge

That you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

To be filled with God’s fullness is the fulfillment of our calling.  Thus, this is an invaluable prayer to pray!

Ephesians 1:15-23, A Prayer for Spiritual Insight (4)

What is to be accomplished by the fulfillment of this prayer?

·       That you may know what is the hope of His calling.  The “calling” is found in Eph. 1:4, when God chose us to be holy and blameless before Him.  That is our calling; to be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:29).  Therefore, what is the “hope” of this calling?  It is the assurance that God will bring us to that likeness to Christ.  He is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24).  He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:6).  In Romans 8, the great promise of v28 (that all things work together for good) is tied to the calling; our being holy and blameless is the “good” that God promises to bring about in everything in our lives.  In Eph. 1, God was so serious about the calling that He predestined us to be adopted as “sons.”  What a wonderful hope we have, that will sustain us in all difficulties. 

·       That you may know what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.  The “inheritance” comes from Eph. 1:11: In Him (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance.  This inheritance is tied to our calling.  Since we are predestined to be “sons of God” our Father has given us an inheritance.  Because of this, as Peter says, we have all we need for life and godliness, great and precious promises, through which we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:3-4).  These spiritual blessings/precious promises include the gift of the Holy Spirit, the peace of Christ, the privilege of coming to the Father in Jesus’ name, the hope of an eternal home after this life, and so much more.  We ought not live as spiritual paupers when we have such glorious riches in Christ.

·       That you may know what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.  This power is the same power God showed in Christ by raising Him from the dead, seating Him at His right hand, and giving Him authority over all things, including the Church (Eph. 1:20-23).  These demonstrations of power are all part of the mystery of His will (1:9).  This is the power available to believers as they are part of this “mystery.”  God’s power enables us to do God’s work, which, as Jesus made clear, is to make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19-20).  As more become followers of Christ, the more the “mystery” of God (exalting Christ over the nations, Psalm 2:6-9) is being fulfilled.  So of course, His power is available for His work.

Now as you think about these things, is this not what you desire for the young people in your church?  Or for believing children and grandchildren? Or even for older Christians who struggle, trying to do their best for God in their own power?  Perhaps you would also want to pray this prayer for yourself?

Ephesians 1:15-23, A Prayer for Spiritual Insight (3)

As we have said, there is one request in this prayer, that God would give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.  The word for knowledge actually has a prefix that indicates a “full” knowledge.

What is to be accomplished by the fulfillment of this prayer?

First, therefore, this spirit deals with knowing God.  A deep, personal knowledge of God is fundamental to the New Covenant.  As Jeremiah put it, No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord (Jer. 31:34).  Paul said it this way: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace,  to reveal His Son in me (Gal. 1:15-16).  In Christ we know God in a personal way.  This requires that God reveal Himself.  What Paul is concerned with, again, is the personal experience of God’s revelation.  He desires that believers grow in the knowledge of God, coming to a full knowledge of Him.  It is knowledge (gnosis) that is tested, gained by experience as we walk with God through life.

Second, there is the fulfillment of the phrase, the eyes of your understanding/hearts being enlightened.  This is what happens when God gives the spirit of wisdom and revelation.  In effect, the light is turned on for the believer.  This turning on of the light is intended to bring knowledge of the spiritual blessings God bestows on the believer: the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the greatness of His power.  What is interesting is that the word “know” in v18 (oida) refers to ideal knowledge.  These things are facts, truth that does not need to be tested or experienced for us to know they are true.  It fits with I Cor. 2:12, speaking of the Spirit by whom we “know” the things freely given to us by God.  That is the same Greek term. 

The application of this to the believer’s life is essential.  We can and should know (oida) many things about God.  We learn these things in the Bible as the Holy Spirit turns the light on for us.  So, for example, we can know absolutely that God is what Exodus 34:6 says: The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.  But to truly know God, as the merciful and gracious, longsuffering, good and true God, takes a lifetime of experiencing His perfections in my life personally.  I know about God, that He is merciful.  But after going through a deep trial of my own making, and coming out the other side, having been helped by God, I can say I know the God of all mercy. 

Thus, in this prayer, Paul desires that believers grow in the knowledge of God.  For this to happen he wants them to be armed with God’s daily provision for faith, hope and love.  This is a great prayer!

Psalm 12

Everything that God is doing throughout history is aimed at the exaltation of His Son, the Messiah and Lord, Jesus.  But at nearly any moment in history God’s people have been able to look around and see a world that looks like anything but a world where Jesus reigns.  And, as in this Psalm, there have been times when it seems God’s people are in such a dwindling minority that their very existence is in doubt.  Around them are people who, by their proud words and threats, seem to boast, “Who is lord over us?”  Wickedness prowls on every side when vileness is exalted rather than the Son of God.  The “poor and needy” yearn for safety in these times.  The answer to this yearning is found in God’s words.  His words are pure and proven.  The intimidation of the empty words of men are no match for the promise of God who can and will always keep His word.

This exaltation of the wicked is the subject of vs.1-4.

·       v1: The seeming disappearance of the godly is not only because of the words of the wicked; it is because fewer men choose to be godly, desiring instead to join in the exaltation of what is vile.  You may remember that Elijah lived in a time like this (I Kings 19, cf. 19:10).  He thought that he was the only one left.  God reminded Him that there was, in fact, a remnant of several thousand that He was protecting.  That’s the idea here.  As David says, the godly cease, the faithful disappear.   But instead of becoming discouraged as Elijah did, we need to put our trust in the Lord as David does here.

·       v2: David describes the words of the arrogant. 

·       They speak idly.  Their words are empty, meaningless.  Let us consider our own conversations. Are we talking about things that matter?  Things that glorify God and exalt what is good?

·       They speak flattery.  The Hebrew means they speak “smooth” words.  This is the way of man.  He has nothing to offer, he cannot make promises of substance because he is man and not God.  So what he does is to use the hypocrisy of flattery so as to gain a following.  This is the nature of false teaching (Rom. 16:18; Jude 16).  It is not to be the way of God’s men (1 Thess. 2:5).

·       They speak with a double heart.  They were deceitful, as the hypocrites, speaking one thing while they had other plans and intentions in their hearts.

·       v3-4:  David’s answer is to bring this to the Lord.  He does not simply bemoan the fact, nor does he allow discouragement to set in.  But he also realizes this is not something he can take care of himself.  This kind of treachery requires the Lord's help.  But more than that, it is the Lord’s issue.  What these wicked talkers are doing is challenging God.  They are in fact saying, “who is lord over us?”

The answer from God is found in vs. 5-8.

·       v5: First God makes a promise.  “I will arise … I will set him (the poor and needy) in the safety for which he yearns.”  This is good news.  God is able to make a promise and keep it, unlike the shallow men who oppress the godly.   And this is enough to encourage the godly.  Why?

·       v6-7: Because the words of God are pure and proven.  God never speaks the lies of flattery or hypocrisy.  And God has never failed to keep His word.  This realization should be the ultimate encouragement to His people!  Do we not find hope in the word of God?  Do we not count on His keeping and preserving promises? 

·       v8: These closing words remind God’s people that the problem they face living in a world of sinners will continue to be a problem as long as vileness is exalted.  This term refers to what is “worthless”.  It is a reminder again as to what must fill the lives and conversations of God’s people.  Are our conversations filled with Christ who is totally “worthy”?  Do we allow the vileness of the flat screen and the big screen to fill our minds?  As long as that kind of emptiness is exalted the wicked will be on the prowl.  May it not be so among the elect.  Here is what our Lord commands to be the nature of our words: “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Eph. 5:4).

Ephesians 1:15-23, A Prayer for Spiritual Insight (2)

For what is Paul thankful? “your faith … and your love”

Remember: these are believers in Christ.  Their faith has been made evident by their love for the family of God.  In other words, they have the Holy Spirit, because if you have not the Spirit then you have not Christ (Rom. 8:9).  He dwells in them.  They may, on occasion, grieve or quench the Spirit, they may not always be filled with the Spirit, but the Spirit dwells in them.

What requests does Paul present?

There is one request in this prayer, a request that brings about tremendous results when God answers the request.  Let us take a moment to diagram the prayer.

One request: may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him H One major result: the eyes of your understanding/hearts being enlightened, that you may know … Three results:
H what is the hope of His calling	H what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints	H what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (this power is described in vs19b-23)

 The request is for a “spirit” of wisdom and revelation in knowing God.  I believe the NKJV is correct in using a lower case “s.”  These believers do not need to receive the Holy Spirit.  But they themselves need God’s work in their own “spirit.”  If you remember the promises of the New Covenant this makes sense.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statues, and you will keep My judgments and do them. (Ezek. 36:25-27)

It is one thing for God to give us His Spirit, through whom we know all these things God has given to us (1 Cor. 2:12).  We must have the Holy Spirit who knows the things of God (1 Cor. 2:11).  But we must also be equipped to receive the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  In 1 Cor. 2:13 Paul says that he spoke in the wisdom which the Holy Spirit teaches.  Paul knows that those to whom he speaks must have a spirit that can receive the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.  That is why he prays here that God might give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation. 

This is such an important prayer to pray for any believers, but especially those who are young in the Lord.  They don’t know what they don’t know.  They need to have a spirit whereby they receive what the Spirit teaches.  They need to have the light turned on in their hearts.

Ephesians 1:15-23, A Prayer for Spiritual Insight (1)

We have come to Ephesians, in which are two magnificent, powerful, very usable prayers (1:15-23 for spiritual insight and 3:14-21 to be filled with the fullness of God).  We will take the needed time to dwell in these passages.

For whom is Paul praying? The Church at Ephesus

Note two passages that describe this church.  They are the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus (Eph. 1:1).  Second, he has heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.  This is a prayer for people who are already believers in Christ.  Furthermore, they have endured enough trials to be called “faithful.”  Paul had previously spent two years establishing the church at Ephesus (the story is in Acts 18:18-19:41) and had a significant conversation with the Elders of that church (Acts 20:17-38).  Great things had happened, in terms of outreach into the surrounding area and powerful conversions.  Also, there was some persecution from the Gentiles.  The letter was written to encourage Gentile believers who may have considered themselves inferior to Jewish believers. 

To whom is Paul praying? God

Specifically, to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory.  As in the blessing back in Eph. 1:3, God the Father’s relationship to the Son is in focus.  Again, it is a prayer that has to do with the blessedness of believers “in Christ,” the position they have because of the Father’s love for His Son.  The second phrase can be translated “Glorious Father.”  Either way it expresses His great glory as a Father.  There is no “father” like Him in terms of His great love for His “sons,” both begotten and adopted.  There is no “god” like Him in terms of glory! 

What moves Paul to pray?

It is not just his thoughts about their faith and love in 1:15. This prayer is clearly connected to the spiritual blessings given by God (1:3) and explained (1:4-14).  The themes are major, including God’s calling us to be holy and blameless, our adoption as His sons, our redemption and forgiveness in Christ and the gift of the w Spirit.  All this is part of the wise and prudent mystery of His will by which we have been brought into the New Covenant relationship with God.  The New Covenant is not like the Old Covenant which could not perfect anyone.  Under the New God has poured out His Spirit on all who believe.  Now we have received, not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God (1 Cor. 1:10).  Those “things … freely given to us” are the “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” of Eph. 1:3.  The point of this prayer is that the Ephesian believers would know, accept and live out of these blessings.  Therefore, let us say again, blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ!

Ephesians 1:3-14, A Blessing Upon God

What moves Paul to pray?

Ephesians begins with another “blessing” ascribed to God, as was the case in 2 Corinthians.  The previous blessing was for God’s mercy and comfort, and was on Paul’s mind because of his own trials.  This blessing is for the many spiritual blessings God has poured out on us, and is on Paul’s mind because of the need of the believers in Ephesus.  Paul’s concern is for the Gentile believers (as was the case in Romans 15 in Paul’s prayer of hope) who might have wondered if they were behind the Jewish believers in the Kingdom of God. 

What words, phrases, titles, names are applied to God by Paul?

The key to the spiritual blessedness of the Gentiles is their position “in Christ.”  You would see this if you read vs. 4-14.  Thus, Paul addresses the one who has blessed the Gentiles as “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

The Church is the Bride of Christ, an important theme Paul will develop in Eph. 5.  Christ died for His Bride, that He might make her beautiful.  Who gave Christ this Bride?  The answer is, His Father.  As Abraham sought a bride for Isaac (Gen. 24), so the Father has sought a bride for His beloved Son.  Jesus described the Church as those the Father gave Him (John 17:24).  A traditional wedding involved a procession of the bride and groom, with their friends, to the house of the groom where they enjoyed a wonderful feast.  Jesus told parables of both a wedding feast (Matt. 22:1-14) and the wedding procession (Matt. 25:1-13).  These parables are about the Messiah and His Bride, and the events will take place when He returns with His Bride from heaven to earth (Rev. 19:1-10).

With these reminders you understand why Paul speaks of God this way.  Paul prays to the One who is naturally, deeply moved to bless His Son.

·       He is “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the One Christ Himself called upon in His great prayer in John 17.  It was there Christ prayed that those who believe in Him might be with Him in glory.  He prayed for their deep spiritual unity with God, a blessing of the New Covenant.

·       He is “the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the One who proclaimed more than once that He deeply loved His Son.  I love the hymn we often sing, “How deep the Father’s love for us.”  As I sing it, I recognize that God’s love for us has everything to do with His Son.  He has placed us “in Christ” and in that position, we have every spiritual blessing.

What a wonderful blessing to begin a counselling session, a heart-to-heart talk with a believing child, or the beginning of a project that God has placed before us.  There is no request here; it is simply a fact: God deserves to be blessed by us because He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ!

Galatians 1:3-5, A Prayer for God's Glory

 

For whom is Paul praying?  “the churches of Galatia”

There were Judaizers trying to influence these churches, teaching them that as Christians they had to keep the OT law.  Galatians is a polemic letter.

To whom is Paul praying? “God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ”

This is Paul’s invocation, and verse 3 is not unique (see the beginning of Romans, 1 Corinthians, Philippians and other letters).  Paul frequently addresses both the Father and Son as he prays that “grace and peace” come from them upon the churches and people for whom he intercedes.  However …

What words, phrases titles, names, etc. are applied to God by Paul?

Concerning the Son (our Lord Jesus Christ) he reminds the Galatians that He gave Himself for our sins.  This is critical to the issue of the letter.  In 2:20 Paul will testify that the Son of God loved him and gave Himself for him.  But the terms are different, although in the same word family.  In 2:20 Christ gave Himself “over,” “on behalf of” Paul.  That word speaks of the crucifixion specifically.  The word in 1:4 says He gave Himself, as a gift, on behalf of our sins.  It’s the same as in 2 Cor. 9:15, where Christ is God’s indescribable gift.  I take this to refer to the entirety of the Incarnation.  Of course, the effectiveness of the cross of Christ depended on His entire earthly life.  The gift of Christ ultimately removes the obligation to the law.  He fulfilled all righteousness in His life and death.

Concerning the Father, He is the One to whom be glory forever and ever.  This is a powerful reminder to the Galatians as to what the whole Judaizing issue is about.  It comes down to, not the glory of Paul, but the glory of God.  In all his arguments Paul will be true to this, that liberty in Christ glorifies God while bondage to the law tries to glorify the sinner.

The other two phrases of v4 make this connection.  Why did Christ give Himself?  To deliver us from the present evil age.  The law could never do that.  It could point out the evil age, but was powerless to deliver us from it.  Again, why did Christ give Himself?  Because it was the will of our God and Father. 

What requests does Paul present? “grace and peace”

Remember this.  This is not just a formula for starting letters.  It is sound doctrine.  Our lives, if they are going to glorify God, depend on His grace (His power at work, giving us all we need for life and godliness) and peace (His face shining upon us, the experience of His presence).  We ought always to entrust those we love into this grace and peace.

How does Paul show that he believes his prayer will be answered?

One word, at the end of the prayer: Amen!  What he has prayed for is the will of God.  We have whatever we ask according to His will.  Again, it’s not a formula.  It’s sound doctrine.  Amen.  So be it!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 13:7,14, Short Prayers

Today’s post is a bit different in that we want to note three short prayers.  They give us simple prayers for particular situations.

2 Cor. 1:3-4, A Prayer of Praise

In this chapter Paul is giving a report on recent trials in his life and ministry, and they involve a near-death situation.  He is talking about trials, but wants to be sure the Corinthian believers don’t think he is calling himself a “victim.”  They need to know about the trials so they know why Paul has not been able to come to see them.  But he also wants them to know these trials were of great benefit to the glory of God.  Therefore, he introduces the narrative with a prayer of praise.  As in our last post, this prayer has no request.  It makes a statement about God.  We need to know how to make prayers like this, where we bless God, giving Him credit for the way He takes us or has taken us through a trial. 

Notice the connection between doctrine and life.  Paul has experienced God’s comfort in tribulation, and through it has been able to comfort others.  He blesses God because He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.  For us, this is a great way to pray, to simply bless the Lord, as part of a testimony we are sharing.

2 Corinthians 13:7, A Prayer for “Validity” in Ministry

Paul’s prayer is short and sweet: I pray to God that you do no evil.  That’s a prayer that we might pray in many situations, including our growing or grown children.  But in this context, it is a ministry prayer.  For four chapters Paul has been affirming his role as an Apostle of Christ.  The argument is not what people were used to hearing.  His main evidence is the way he has suffered in the service of Christ.  He has not touted the big crowds he attracted or his great books of sermons.  It’s his suffering and his hard work.  He wants them to know that he is qualified, not disqualified (13:6).  He prays they will not sin, even though it might appear to them that he is disqualified.  In ministry we need people to accept the ministry of Christ through us.  We should pray that they will, as Paul does here.

2 Corinthians 13:14, A Benediction

I remember as a child that my father concluded every Sunday morning worship service by quoting this prayer.  The sound doctrine is amazing.  The “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” comes first, for by that we know the “love of God” the Father.  The “communion” of the Holy Spirit is the Greek koinonia, fellowship.  It is not what we experience in the body of Christ but the intimate relationship with God through the New Covenant.  This prayer requests that they be “with” us in the sense of their active presence.  Why don’t we pray this prayer when we part company with believers?  Look at what was available from the Lord for the believers: grace, love and His deep, abiding presence.

1 Cor. 1:4-9, Prayer of Assurance

For whom is Paul praying?  Believers at Corinth.

You might think of these believers as a sorely troubled group.  I’m not sure they were exceptional in the number and severity of their problems.  But Paul’s description of them in 1:2 is profound: To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.  Believers in Christ often have struggles, but it does not change who they are in Christ. 

To whom is Paul praying? “my God”

God is the source of grace for which Paul is thankful (v4).  God is also the One who will confirm or establish the Corinthians to the end that they might have a good standing in the day of Christ (v8).  Lastly, God is faithful and was the One who called the Corinthians into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (v9).  It should be noted that there are no requests in this prayer.  Instead, it is an affirmation of God’s work past, present and future in the Corinthian believers.

For what is Paul thankful?

This is the primary question in this prayer because it is a prayer of thanksgiving.  Let’s lay out the progress of this prayer.

·       There is one basic word of thanksgiving: for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus (v4).

·       “Grace” was evident in their being enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge.  Likely this refers to the good teaching and preaching that was the experience of this church.

·       When did this enrichment take place?  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you (v6).  This refers to the effect of the gospel on the Corinthians.  By the grace of God, through the Spirit, the gospel was confirmed (it was made to stand strong) to and in them.  Paul was the one used of God to bring the gospel to Corinth and to establish the church there (Acts 18).

·       What was the result of this enrichment?  So that you come short in no gift. 

·       The “life context” for this prayer is, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.  This is a statement of “hope.” 

I love this prayer.  It is based in sound doctrine.  First, in Christ we have every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), everything we need for life and godliness (2 Pt. 1:3-4).  Second, God will keep us from falling and will establish us blameless before Christ (Jude 24).  Paul has several issues to consider with these believers.  But lest they think these are so serious that God might abandon them, he vocalizes his thanks to God for the assurance He will finish the work He has begun.  When your believing friends struggle, do your prayers for them exude this assurance of hope?

Psalm 11

The issue of “soul-talk” comes up often in the Psalms, but perhaps no more clearly than in this Hymn of David.  By “soul-talk” we are referring to what we tell our soul or inward man is true.  The soul in turn talks to us, instructing us how to think as various situations arise during our day.  Our inward man may at times tell us things that are not true.  It may repeat something we used to think but which we have come to know is not according to the renewed mind (Rom. 12:2).  Or it may tell us what the world around us has said, but which does not fit Scripture.  We need to instruct and correct our soul so it will speak truth to us. 

Someone is telling David to “flee” in fear and panic, to “focus” on the power of the wicked, and to “fret” over the what ifs (v1b-3).  In the NKJV the quotes are only around one line (“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?)  But perhaps the entire section should be in quotes (remember, the quotation marks were not in the Hebrew).  At least we know that clear through v3 we are hearing the call to fear.

Who is saying this to David?  It seems that this is advice he is getting from the wicked themselves.  This is certainly not the way a believer should think.  But it is possible that he is saying this to himself.  It may have been his first thought to some sudden or extreme crisis.  His mind spoke panic to his soul; his soul lost courage; and now David questions his very own thoughts.  Whatever the case we should see ourselves in this.  We must remember that every thought we have is not necessarily true.  They must be evaluated and rejected or affirmed based on the truth of Scripture.  We must cast down everything that exalts itself against God and every thought needs to be made captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

Let us also see ourselves in what David is hearing.  When problems come we very often first have a thought that we should “flee” the situation.  But in fact this is quite often not the will of God for us.  As David will point out later, God tests us.  To flee is to fail the test.  We want to flee because our focus is on what the wicked are doing and how seemingly unstoppable they are.  In weakness we try to analyze the situation and all we come up with are “what ifs” that are ominous; we have no answer.  Thus we think we need to move or leave or run. 

How does David deal with this loss of strength in his soul, the gnawing in the pit of his stomach?  In the beginning of the Song he makes a terse statement of the truth and the rebuke that truth pronounces on all his fearful thoughts.  “How can you cay these things!  I have put my trust in the LORD!”  This is the bottom line.  But when we say it’s the bottom line we do not mean it’s all we need to say to our inner man or to those around us.  Sometimes we may encourage someone to trust God in their problem.  But what our faith needs is a reminder of what it means to put our trust in the LORD.  What is it about the LORD that is so important?  David does this in magnificent, broad and clear statements.  There is no room for confusion, no eternal struggle with “the problem of pain”, nor any thought about what David must do to resolve the crisis.  He speaks of the LORD!

·       v4a: He first paints a picture of the Sovereign LORD.  He is both in His sanctuary, the place where He is worshiped continually; and He is on His throne.  David knew something of what John saw in Rev. 4.  Read that short chapter so you can know the LORD in truth and can correct your fearful soul.

·       v4b: David then tells his soul that God sees everything.  His throne and temple are in heaven; the LORD doesn’t miss a thing.  Quote often our fears are based on questions about “how long” before God will act?  Or we wonder, “where is God when I need Him”?  These are foolishly based on the lie that God is far removed from the lives of His people.  God does not miss a thing.

·       v5-6: Then David gives the clear answer as to God’s purpose and perspective.  This is a “black and white” picture.  We struggle often because we allow ourselves to see so much “grayscale”.  We do not know what God’s detailed plan and purpose is in a situation.  And yet we do!  We know that He tests the righteous and His soul hates those who love violence.  This crisis we are in is a test of faith.  As we walk through it with God we will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.  And as we walk we can know, for certain, God will bring judgment to bear on the wicked.  The length and severity of the trial, things we do not know, should in no way cloud this clear picture!

·       v7: Why does David so clearly see all this?  Because he knows the LORD!  The LORD is righteous; the LORD loves righteousness; and the LORD is close to the upright.  And friends, there it is again: if our minds are renewed so our theology is right, then we will face life successfully.  We see it often, the advertising slogan, “No fear!”  This is not an advertising slogan.  This is substance.  These are thoughts based on absolute truth!

Romans 16:25-27, A Prayer for God’s Glory

This, like Rom. 15:13, is essentially a “benediction.”  Resist the temptation to think of this as just a formality.  With Scripture, and especially Paul, all his prayers are meant to be studied.  Praying is never a mere formality.  My father used to quote 2 Cor. 13:14 at the end of every worship service.  I can look back and say that I doubt he ever prayed that benediction without meaning.  But as a kid, I knew that verse (memorization is good) but I also knew it meant the service was finally over.  He considered it to be a good thought as you left the comfort of the Body of Christ and re-entered the harsh realities of life in a sinful world.

This prayer is simple in its construction:  Paul prays to “Him” (God) and prays that He will be glorified through Jesus Christ.  What gives the prayer impact is what it says about God and why He deserves such glory.  Often, in our praying and praising, we just want to give God glory; we don’t include anything that is glorious about God.  We sing “let’s just praise the Lord” or string together a few “hallelujahs” and assume everyone has a good reason to join in.  But good prayers are not like that.  Read the Psalms.  Repeatedly we are called to praise; but it is never praise for praise’ sake.  We always have solid reasons, which is the case here.

·       God is able to establish us, and those for whom we pray.  So Paul is praying that God will establish the Romans believers, for in that He will gain glory.

·       God will establish them through Paul’s gospel (the gospel of God’s grace) and the preaching of Jesus Christ.  Thus, Paul is praying that the gospel ministry will thrive, for in that people will be established and God will gain glory.

·       God’s establishing them by the gospel is according to the “mystery of God,” God’s plan for the ages, to bring glory to His Son.  This is the amazing plan that would eventually involve the Incarnation, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Session at the Right Hand, and earthly Kingdom of our Lord.  That whole plan has the glory of God written across it. 

o   If you wonder about this plan, Paul reminds them that it is the one that was a secret in OT times, but Christ having come and finished His earthly work, has now been made manifest TO ALL NATIONS.  Again, especially for those in Rome, this is most glorifying to God.  The seat of the empire, where the nations are ruled, has, through the letter to the Romans, been informed of God’s plan for those nations.

o   The plan has been made known, by God’s command, through the NT Scriptures, and through Paul particularly.  Because the plan exalts the Son, God is glorified through Jesus Christ forever.  Thus, Paul is praying more and more of the nations will come to Christ; in that way God will gain glory!

o   Amen!  The concluding word is Paul’s way of saying: this is all that matters, that God be glorified in the way He has planned.  May it be so!

Romans 15:7-13, A Prayer for Abundant Hope (3)

What request does Paul present? “fill you with all joy and peace”

The Gentiles were hopeless people.  Paul said this in Ephesians 3:12, that since they were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and the promises were made to Israel, they were therefore without hope and without God.  That is the epitome of hopelessness.  What characterizes hopeless people?  They are depressed and filled with worry.  Thus, Paul prays for these Gentile believers, of whom he says now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Eph. 3:13).  And he prays that God would fill them with those things that fit life under the New Covenant rather than the weak and unprofitable (Heb. 7:18), old, Mosaic Covenant: joy and peace.  Remember the three great Christian qualities: faith, hope and love?  The greatest is love.  But faith and hope are essentials.  And there is no perseverance in the Christian life without hope.  So he emphasizes two of the nine fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  That’s because our goal is not just to make it to the end, to persevere; the goal is to display all patience and longsuffering with joy (Col. 1:11).  If you live under the new covenant (i.e. if you are a believer in Christ), you have all the spiritual blessings afforded by the covenant, and discouragement and worry should be the furthest things away from you.

Does Paul place any conditions on the request? “in believing”

This is a condition.  Paul says it like this: “may God fill you as you are believing.”  You can’t be in the new relationship with God apart from faith in Christ as your Savior.  You can’t experience the peace and joy of that relationship unless you are walking in faith.  It’s that simple!

What resources does Paul mention that make it possible for God to answer this prayer? “by the power of the Holy Spirit”

Again, there is not a lot to be said because it has already been said.  What is the essence of the New Covenant?  It is that the Spirit of God indwells the believer.  It you don’t have the Spirit you don’t have Christ (Rom. 8:9).  But if you have Christ, you have the Spirit.  We need to remember what it means to walk in the Spirit (our recent studies in the “fruit of the Spirit” referred to this often).  We must be filled with the Spirit, meaning we have set our minds on the Word, Living and Written (Rom. 8:5).  We must not grieve Him by disobedience (Eph. 4:30) or put out His fire by neglect of the things of the Spirit (1 Th. 5:19-21).

What is accomplished by fulfillment of the request? “abundant hope”

When God fills you with His joy and peace you will exude hope, without trying.  This is important for many reasons but perhaps the greatest is this, from 1 Pt. 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.  The world gains nothing from depressed, worrying Christians!!