Ephesians 1:16-19

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the perception of your mind may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength. Ephesians 1:16-19

Apostle Paul is giving us insight to what he prayed for the Ephesian believers. He shares three specific things he prayed over them. He prayed for them to receive wisdom, perception, and understanding.

What a great blessing to have someone pray such prayers over you. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know someone was presenting these request to the Father on your behalf? This is called intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is when you go to God on someone else’s behalf and ask God to meet a need in their life.

In the same way you would love someone praying for you, you have an opportunity to pray for others. You can do this dear friend. You can pray over your family members, friends, and those you have influence over. You can be the one interceding so that others can be presented to the Father.

I don’t know about you but sometimes my prayer for others looks a little more like David’s when he prays that God would deliver him from his enemies and destroy them! I’m just being honest. I do pray for other’s blessings, spiritual growth, healing, and deliverance but I can be hurting and so full of sorrow that I lean towards David’s patterns.

This pattern of Paul’s is so encouraging. The prayer itself acknowledges that they are lacking wisdom, perception, and understanding without tearing them down and wishing negative effects in their life. It’s hoping for the best and believing God can and will help them grow and learn. It’s doing unto others what you want done to you. Don’t you want someone praying this over you?

Prayer is open honest conversation with the Father. You can and should go to the Father and talk about anything. However, if your prayers are always negative and debasing others its time to change the way you think. The Bible says, “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. The Bible also tells us how to think. In Philippians 4:8, we are told, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things.”

So, there you have it my friend. What are you dwelling on and thinking about? I would encourage you to present your need of wisdom, perception, and understanding to the Father and pray this prayer over yourself. Don’t wish someone would pray it over you, be the one doing it.

Pray for others and yourself and see what God will do!