In Christ (A Study Through Ephesians)- Study Guide 4
Prayerfully Powerful
Ephesians 1:15-23
Read Ephesians 1:15-23
After his greeting, Paul takes verses 3-14 in this first chapter of Ephesians to praise God. He
then closes the chapter out with a prayer, not just a “Lord, love, guide, and direct us. Amen”
Prayer or “Good food. Good meat. Good God. Let’s eat” Prayer. It’s not that those are not good
prayers and that you have to pray certain words for a certain length of time- just that you’re not
rambling on like the pagans, but this is one powerful prayer and it would be wise to lay this
prayer of his over our own prayers.
Let’s look closely at this prayer but before we do so, understand that the people of Ephesus are in
difficult circumstances. As we have already learned, we know that this letter was a circular letter
and not solely to the church of Ephesus, which is why it does not mention their specific
circumstance, but since we know they were one of the recipients, let’s think about the situation
there. In Acts 19 & 20, it can be observed that the people of Ephesus were worshippers but not
of the true God. The Christians who worshiped the true God were a minority. Their God was
not liked. They weren’t liked. Severe persecution was not out of the norm for them. Gaius and
Aristarchus, a couple of Paul’s traveling buddies experienced persecution firsthand. They were
dragged into the amphitheater because they were associated with Paul and this God who was in
opposition to their great goddess Artemis. They were angry that Paul was spreading news that
handmade gods were not really God which hurt the silversmith’s business and Artemis’
reputation. A huge riot broke out because of this. That’s the kind of place Ephesus was. So the
Christians that lived there probably were overwhelmed, stressed, frustrated. They may have
experienced literal wounds. We know Paul did on his journeys when spreading the gospel. Even
though the physical state of the recipients probably was not the best, notice that Paul’s prayer
doesn’t mention their physical condition. He prays that the “eyes of their heart may be
enlightened.” Paul was familiar with the physical condition at Ephesus and other churches but
he does not bring that up, he goes after their hearts. He is concerned with their spiritual
condition first and foremost. Paul would affirm (along with the rest of the Bible) that praying
for the physical condition of people is the right thing to do. He prayed for his physical condition
(2 Corinthians 12:7-8). Others prayed for healing concerning the physical condition. Hezekiah
prayed hoping for healing (Isaiah 38). The apostle John hoped for physical health for Gaius. (By
the way this Gaius is probably not the same Gaius that traveled with Paul. Gaius was a common
Roman name. There are 5 different ones in Scripture).
Read 3 John 1:1-2
John prays for good health but notice he also prays for his soul- his spiritual health. Our prayers
should not stop with the physical. If we could only pray for one (physical needs vs. spiritual
needs) Paul would take the spiritual. That’s exactly what he does!
Now notice what Paul asked God to allow their hearts to see (vv.18-21). The truth for every
person on the planet is that the more you see God, the more you’ll trust God, know God, want
God, and live for God. He prays for all the recipients of this letter to see the HOPE they have in
Christ, to see how RICH they are in Christ, and to see the POWER they have in Christ so that
they would trust, know, want, and live for God more.
Discussion Questions
1. Examine your own prayer life. Are you more inclined to pray for
the physical condition of those around you, or the spiritual condition of their hearts?
Why?
2. Notice Paul says that he never stops thanking God for them. Do you constantly thank
God for those He has placed in your life that encourage you spiritually? What prevents
you from thanking Him more for them?
3. Paul notices two things about the people of Ephesus and around the world that causes
him to remember and pray for them. What are they? (Hint: Read verse 15 again).
4. Do you notice these things in others and do they stir your heart to pray for others? Are
these two qualities apparent in your life to others that know you? What may prevent
people from noticing these qualities in you some days?
5. Paul prays for the eyes of their hearts to be enlightened. What habits need to be
strengthened in your life to help you consistently see God clearly?
6. What causes you to forget the hope that you have in Christ, how rich you are in Christ,
and underestimate the power of prayer at times?
Prayer Guide
 Pray that we would appreciate the privilege of prayer.
 Pray for the hearts of those in your small group/Sunday morning group. Pray that they
see God more and grow more in their walk with Him.
 Pray for hearts of those that attend FCC. Pray that they see God more and grow more in
their walk with Him.
 Thank God for the mature believers that have been spiritual examples to you. Pray that
they see God more and grow more in their walk with Him.
 Thank God for the believers that God has allowed you to be a spiritual example to. Pray
that they see God more and grow more in their walk with Him.
 Thank God for those in your life that are unbelievers. Pray that the eyes of their heart
may be enlightened and that they can be drawn closer to God.
 Praise God for prayer and His power-that same power that raised Jesus from the dead that
is behind it.
 Pray that FCC will be a church that always remembers and is thankful for the hope,
wealth, and power that we have in Christ.