For much of the summer we’ve been looking at Prayer as the posture of the Acts church. This Sunday we will move from talking about prayer to praying. Pastor David has challenged us to pray daily, to pray specifically and even three times a day (like Daniel in Daniel Chapter 6). He described the position that we are in is one of transition: looking to God and waiting on God for our next phase of ministry in Mimico. After a short sermon, we will have an opportunity to engage in a prayer-walk around the building praying specifically for the many ministries that are already happening, some that we believe should happen, and some that are in need of change.
message: Now We Will Put Prayer into Practice (Ephesians 1:15-20) with Rev. David Donaldson
Now We Pray
Sometimes we think prayer is mostly about talking to God. But prayer is also about listening.
When the apostle Paul prayed for the believers in Ephesus, he prayed that they would know God better, receive wisdom, understand their hope, and experience God’s power. Those are still important prayers for Christians today.
In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul writes:
- That God would give His people wisdom and revelation.
- That the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened.
- That they would know the hope God has called them to.
- That they would understand the riches of their inheritance in Christ.
- That they would experience God’s power, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Those are big ideas, but they lead to a simple question: Are we paying attention to what God wants to show us?
Asking for Wisdom
The Bible encourages us to ask God for wisdom. Just as Solomon asked for wisdom to lead Israel, we need wisdom to follow Jesus faithfully in our everyday lives.
God continues to reveal more of Himself to His people. Not because His truth changes, but because we keep growing in our understanding of who He is and what He calls us to do. That means prayer is not only bringing requests to God. It is also making room to hear His voice.
Seeing with the Heart
Paul prayed that the “eyes of your heart” would be enlightened.
That is a different kind of seeing. It is learning to recognize God’s presence, His work, and His direction beyond what we can observe on the surface.
When our hearts are open to God, we begin to notice His hope, His promises, and His purposes more clearly.
Living with Hope
Christian hope is not wishful thinking.
Our hope is anchored in Jesus Christ. Because He is alive and reigning, we can trust that God’s promises are secure. We belong to Him, and the inheritance He has prepared for His people is certain.
That gives us confidence, even when life feels uncertain.
Trusting God’s Power
Paul also reminds us that God’s power is at work in believers.
This is not a small power. It is the very power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Too often we focus on what seems impossible. Yet Scripture points us back to a God who specializes in doing what we cannot do ourselves.
As followers of Jesus, we are invited to trust Him more deeply, pray more boldly, and believe that He is still at work in our lives, our churches and our communities.
A Prayer for Today
May God give us wisdom.
May He open the eyes of our hearts.
May we know the hope to which He has called us.
May we understand the richness of His promises.
And may we experience the greatness of His power at work among us.