Pray Like a Son, Not a Beggar: The Ephesian Formula of Prayer

Sermon outline

Pray the way Paul prayed in Ephesians 1, for wisdom, revelation and understanding of what is already yours, because the church is Christ's body and carries His presence and power.

1. Pray for a spirit of wisdom and revelation

   Paul prays for a spirit of wisdom and revelation, which the Amplified renders as insight into mysteries and secrets. The saying 'God works in mysterious ways' does not apply to the new creation church, because God has revealed His mysteries through Paul's letters and by the Holy Spirit. Once you are rooted in the Word and have tasted the move of the Spirit, you cannot go backwards.

   Illustration: A wild tree grows anyhow and anywhere, like weed seed, but a prized plant cannot grow just any way.

   “You are part of the church that has been fully illuminated.”

   • Ephesians 1:17
   • 1 Corinthians 2:16

2. The will of God is the Word of God

   Praying 'if it be Your will' about things God has already promised is wavering faith. You find God's will in His Word, such as His wish that you prosper and be in health, and you reject every other suggestion, however well-meaning. The only place for 'if it be Your will' is a prayer of personal dedication, such as asking whether to leave your job for full-time ministry.

   “As long as you know the Word of God, you know the will of God.”

   • 3 John 1:2

3. That you may know and understand: study the Word for yourself

   Paul prays that the eyes of your heart be flooded with light so that you may know and understand. Read the Bible as a legal and living document and feed your inner man, so that no wind of doctrine can confuse you. Study it yourself, rightly dividing what was written to the Jews, the Gentiles and the church, and invest in good study tools because you retain only about 10% of what you hear the first time.

   Illustration: Flipping the Bible open for a daily word: one day 'you shall prosper', the next day 'and Judas hanged himself'. He admits he did this himself many years ago.

   “When you know the Word of God, no one can deceive you.”

   • Ephesians 1:18
   • Hebrews 4:12
   • Matthew 4:4
   • 1 Peter 1:23
   • Ephesians 4:14
   • Galatians 3:1
   • 2 Timothy 2:15
   • Proverbs 23:23
   • 2 Peter 1:3

4. It is not God's will for you to die early

   Knowing your rights in Scripture means claiming long life rather than accepting that God 'took a flower' early. God needs your hands, feet and mouth on earth to save souls, plant churches and heal the sick. From the day you are born again the devil becomes your enemy, and your defence is obedience to the Word, being full of the Holy Ghost and being planted in a church that teaches sound doctrine.

   “God needs you here on earth more than heaven.”

   • Psalm 91:16
   • 1 Peter 3:10

5. Kill the religious 'travelling mercies' prayer

   Begging God to go with someone on a journey ignores what He has already promised: the Comforter is with you always, He will never leave you nor forsake you, and you are preserved in Christ. Instead, thank Him for His presence, His angels and the blood of Jesus covering the car. One prayer puts you in the place of a beggar, the other in the place of a son.

   Illustration: 'Lord please, Lord please go with Brother Johnny, he's going to Jo'burg today' compared with 'Father, thank You that Your presence is in this car and that I am preserved.'

   “The one places you as a beggar, the other one places you as a son.”

   • John 14:16
   • Matthew 28:20
   • Hebrews 13:5
   • Hebrews 13:8
   • Jude 1:24

6. How tremendous is His power

   Reading from the J.B. Phillips translation, he stresses inner illumination for every believer, not just pastors, and the tremendous power of God. Paul came not with words only but with a demonstration of power: healing, prophetic direction, promotion and deliverance. Power is not something to be given in the future; it has already been given.

   “Power going to be given to you is different from power has been given already to you.”

   • Ephesians 1:17-21
   • 1 Corinthians 2:4

7. The church is His body: all things are under your feet

   God has put all things under Christ's feet and made Him head over all things for the church, which is His body, filled fully by the One who fills the universe. If all things are under the feet of the Head, they are under the feet of the body. So you are not trying to get God's attention or get closer to Him; you carry His presence wherever you go.

   Illustration: He never prays 'Lord, please come here' in his prayer closet in the morning, because he is already filled with the fullness of God.

   “Wherever you go you are the carrier of God's presence.”

   • Ephesians 1:22-23
   • Philippians 4:13
   • 1 John 4:4
   • Romans 8:1
   • 1 Corinthians 6:19