What you really believe about prayer

Ephesians 6:18-24

Rev. Paul Bucknell

The last of this Ephesians sermon series

A)A)The Place of Prayer in the Book The Place of Prayer in the Book of Ephesiansof Ephesians

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s Life (Ephesians 6:18-Believer’s Life (Ephesians 6:18-

24)24)

C)C)The Place of Prayer in Your LifeThe Place of Prayer in Your Life

A)A)The Place of Prayer in the Book The Place of Prayer in the Book of Ephesiansof Ephesians

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s Life (Ephesians 6:18-Believer’s Life (Ephesians 6:18-

24)24)

C)C)The Place of Prayer in Your LifeThe Place of Prayer in Your Life

An Outline of Ephesians 6:18-24

A Christian cannot grow without the

truth of God.

A Christian cannot grow without living

out the truths of God.

A)A)The Place of Prayer in EphesiansThe Place of Prayer in EphesiansA)A)The Place of Prayer in EphesiansThe Place of Prayer in Ephesians

gracegrace

ChristChrist

salvationsalvation

unityunity

forgivenessforgiveness

mysterymystery

electionelection

powerpower

prayerprayer

PrayPray

EPHESIANSEPHESIANS

PrayPrayPrayPray

11 33 66

• Prayer Cares (1:15-16)

“I ... do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16).

• Prayer Helps (1:17-19)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Ephesians 1:18).

• Prayer Enables (3:14-19)

“I bow my knees ... to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:14-16).

• Prayer Persists (6:18-22)

“ With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

A)A)The Place of Prayer in EphesiansThe Place of Prayer in EphesiansA)A)The Place of Prayer in EphesiansThe Place of Prayer in Ephesians

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” Ephesians 1:17-19, NASB.

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” Ephesians 1:17-19, NASB.

“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19, NASB.

“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19, NASB.

Heavenlies

Seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Earth

Earth

PRAYEPRAYERR

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on

the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf,

that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with

boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in

proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know

about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful

minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. And I have sent him to you

for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your

hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the

Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love

incorruptible.

Ephesians 6:18-24 (NASB)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

1.Prayer is a key aspect of the believer’s life.

2.Prayer includes conversation and requests.

3.Genuine prayer is made in the Spirit.

4.Prayer targets on the needs of others.

5.Prayer strengthens & empowers His people.

6.Prayer needs to be specific.

7.Prayer brings God’s will into being.

1) Prayer is a key aspect of the believer’s life. (Ephesians 6:18)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times...”

There are no times that we are safe without prayer.

There are no times that we are okay without prayer.

There are no times that we can withstand temptation without prayer.

There are no times that God’s kingdom will advance without prayer.

Foolish: “I don’t have time.”

2) Prayer includes conversation and requests.(Ephesians 6:18)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times...”

Prayer

Petition

thankspraise

reflection

confessionlistening

focused strategic

requests dependence

Foolish: “Don’t want to bother God.”

pneumaen

3) Genuine prayer is made in the Spirit.(Ephesians 6:18)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“Pray at all times in the Spirit.”

en pneumati

in, by

spirit, Spirit

Foolish: “I say the same prayer each day.”

4) Prayer targets on the needs of others.(Ephesians 6:18b)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“Pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all

perseverance and petition for all the saints...”

Foolish: “I live for myself.”

God works

in us

for others

God works

in us

GOD’S DESIGN

WORLD’S DESIGN

LVOEEIL

V

5) Prayer strengthens and empowers His people.

(Ephesians 6:19)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my

mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”

Foolish: “I can get by on my own.”

The heart of prayer rests on

acknowledging our helplessness and

His willingness and ability to strengthen

us.

The power of prayer rests on aligning ourselves to the great things that God wants to do

through our lives.

6) Prayer needs to be specific.(Ephesians 6:21-22)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the

beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

And I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and

that he may comfort your hearts.”

Foolish: “I only have general prayers.”

Prayer requests At church

At cell group

At mission field

At home

7) Prayer brings God’s will into being.(Ephesians 6:23-24)

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus

Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love

incorruptible.”

Peace comes through prayer.

(Prayer doesn’t really make a difference.)

Love must accompany faith.Grace is God’s goodness

unleashed.

Foolish: “God will bless me and others without prayer.”

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

B)B)The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s The Place of Prayer in a Believer’s LifeLife

1.Prayer is a key aspect of the believer’s life. Integral, important, crucial

2.Prayer includes conversation and requests. Talking with God, asking God

3.Genuine prayer is made in the Spirit. The Spirit of God actively works

4.Prayer targets on the needs of others. Edify believers

5.Prayer strengthens & empowers His people. Advance God’s kingdom

6.Prayer needs to be specific. Share prayer requests

7.Prayer brings God’s will into being. Prayer is a means of grace

If ...

C)C)The Place of Prayer in Your LifeThe Place of Prayer in Your LifeC)C)The Place of Prayer in Your LifeThe Place of Prayer in Your Life

What do you believe about prayer?

What we do reveals what we believe.

If I do not pray for my children, it means ....

If I do not wholeheartedly pray about my ministry or area of service, then it ....

If I try to help a straying individual without soaking it in prayer, then it ....

If I think I or others can have a good life without a good prayer life, we are ...

If I only pray to pass a test but not how ....

If I only pray a little for my wife, then it means that I do not care ....

HeavenliesSeated us with Him in the heavenly

places in Christ Jesus

Earth

Earth

PRAYERPRAYER

A)A) Prayer in Ephesians Prayer in Prayer in Ephesians Prayer in a Believer’s Life a Believer’s Life B)B) Prayer in Your LifePrayer in Your Life