• Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Thankful Homemaker

Gospel-Driven Encouragement for Homemakers

  • Home
    • The Gospel
    • Statement of Faith
    • My Church Home
    • Church Finder
  • Welcome
    • About Me
    • Start Here
    • Advertise & Sponsorship Info
    • The BAR Podcast Network
    • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Homemaking
    • Menu Planning
      • Menu Planning Made Easy Course
    • Marriage
      • Marriage Series
    • Motherhood
    • Christian Living
      • Spiritual Disciplines Series
      • Sermon on the Mount
    • Bible Study
    • Time Management
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine’s Day
      • Summer Fun
      • Gift Guides
  • Podcast
  • Resources
    • Book Recommendations
    • Homemaking Courses
    • TH Gear – Mugs, T-shirts, Tote Bags & Sweatshirts
    • Journals & Notebooks
    • My Favorite Blogging & Podcast Tools
    • Free Library
  • Shop
    • TH Gear – Mugs, T-Shirts, Tote Bags & Sweatshirts
    • Books, Home Items & Other Favorites 🥰
  • Free Library
    • Sign-Up for Access
    • Enter Free Library (Password Required)
  • Connect
    • Advertise and Sponsorship Info
    • Patreon Support
    • Buy Marci a Cup of Coffee 🥰
  •  

EP 98: 4 Truths to Pray for One Another

by Marci Ferrell
Christian Living Podcast Prayer

945 shares
  • Facebook161
  • Twitter

I’d love to help you simplify your meal planning. Check out my new menu planning course here.

If you're encouraged by the podcast & blog consider becoming a friend of Thankful Homemaker at Patreon

Wisdom in God's ways is something we should all desire to seek as believers and to pray for others that are in Christ. #prayer #praying @mferrell

 

Wisdom in God's ways is something we should all desire to seek as believers and to pray for others that are in Christ.

I love reading Paul’s prison prayers (Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11, Colossians 1:9-12) because we see the heart of what the apostle desired for us. Amid this trial, Paul didn’t pray the believers in Ephesus or Philippi would live their best life now. He didn’t pray for material blessings, but his focus was on the spiritual and the unlimited and glorious blessings we have from being in Christ.

“He did not ask God to give them what they did not have, but rather prayed that God would reveal to them what they already had.

~ Warren Wiersbe

In the Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul is giving thanks to God for our inheritance in Christ and that we would truly understand all that we have in Him. He asks God to give believers a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Eph 1:17). 

You Can Listen to the Bitesize Episode Below and Subscribe to the Podcast on Your Favorite App: 

 

Related Resources:

EP 45: Our Best Parenting is Done By Prayer

Spiritual Disciplines Series

Video: 4 Truths to Pray for One Another

My Favorite Book Recommendations

Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson

 

Wisdom in God's ways is something we should all desire to seek as believers and to pray for others that are in Christ. We should desire to understand what it looks like to live as those who have been changed by the Gospel. Click to Tweet

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,

~ Ephesians 1:15-17

Wisdom in God’s ways is something we should all desire to seek as believers and to pray for others that are in Christ. We should desire to understand what it looks like to live as those who have been changed by the Gospel.

Paul starts off his prayer, sharing what the marks are of a true Christian: Faith in Christ and love for other Christians. The Ephesians Paul is writing to are saints because they have repented of their sins and put the faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord alone for salvation (see What is the Gospel).

Before I get into Paul’s prayer, I want to remind you that if you are in Christ, God’s divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:3). We don’t need to search for something extra in our Christian life. It says everything has been given to us. At salvation, everything the believer needs in Christ has been given to us.

“The Christian’s primary need is for wisdom and obedience to appropriate the abundance of blessings the Lord has already given. Our problem is not lack of blessings, but lack of insight and wisdom to understand and use them properly and faithfully.”

~ John MacArthur

We don’t need to be seeking more spiritual resources. We need to ask the Lord to give us understanding and insight to know and appropriate the resources we have received abundance at the moment of our salvation.

Let’s look together more specifically as we break down the rest of the passage in Ephesians 1:15-23 what Paul specifically prayed for the believers. We know prayer is just speaking to God, and God speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Prayer is a wonderful privilege we have as His children called out of darkness into His marvelous light. In verse 16, Paul unceasingly prays, giving thanks for these believers and for God’s work in their lives.

4 Things to Pray for One Another (and ourselves too):

First to Know God Better:

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 

~ Ephesians 1:17

Pretty simple, isn’t it. We are praying for us and others to know more about this awesome, glorious God we serve and can know personally through Christ. Imagine the comfort of knowing all about God and knowing God personally brings Paul, who is in prison, suffering for his faith in Christ. It can be too easy to acquire knowledge in so many areas of our lives and only have a superficial knowledge of who God is. May it be our prayer and desire to know God more and more through His revelation of Himself to us through the Bible. This is a great truth to pray for ourselves and other believers – that we/they have more knowledge of God.

We have a great privilege as Christians to not just know about God but to know Him personally. May we pray for Him to be our greatest joy.

Second to Know the Hope to Which We’re Called:

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, 

~ Ephesians 1:18a

When scripture speaks of the heart here, it means the center of our knowledge and understanding. Paul is praying that their eyes would be illuminated to God’s truths to know how to respond to all of life’s circumstances and difficulties with an eternal perspective. Imagine the impact this would have on our lives if we and others could grasp this truth. What a blessing to see and respond to every situation or trial of our lives through the lens of God’s Word.

Paul is praying that their eyes would be illuminated to God's truths to know how to respond to all of life's circumstances and difficulties with an eternal perspective. Click to Tweet

As Christians, we live with a glorious hope in this world. We have an assurance of what is to come and understand that all of life should be lived to the glory of God. We know that God is working out every detail of our lives for our good and His glory.

Third We are His Inheritance:

what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints

~ Ephesians 1:18b

A first glance over this passage, you may think as I did that Paul wants us to know about the inheritance we have in Christ (all that is true), but it’s a different interpretation for this verse. He wants us to know that we are God’s inheritance. We are His; we are sealed by His Holy Spirit and His precious portion. We belong to Somebody – forever! We, the saints, are God’s inheritance (1 Peter 2:9).

God has chosen, redeemed, and adopted depraved, sinful children to be His own and to become the bride for His beloved Son. God has chosen us and saved and sanctified sinners to spend eternity with him. He will one day bring us home to glory with Him for eternal rest. Paul is praying that we would grasp the riches of this marvelous grace.

Fourth to Know His Power:

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

~ Ephesians 1:19-20

The resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in every believer. Paul did not pray for power to be given to believers; He prayed that they would know the power they already possessed in Christ. Paul prayed the believers would know their hope of heaven was assured because God had raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the heavenly places as King, who will bring His children home to be with Him for all eternity.

Final Thoughts:

As I’m writing this, I am not saying it is wrong to pray for things that are temporal in this life. We need to give thanks to the Lord for so many things daily and ask for His help in all areas of our lives. We are dependent upon the Lord for all things, and bringing all our needs before Him in prayer reminds us of that truth.

My hope is we will continue to learn from Paul how to pray for others and ourselves with eternity in mind. These are great truths to pray for others when circumstances can seem so challenging you are at a loss for words on what to pray.

In summary: Pray to know God better, know the hope to which we’re called, be reminded that we are His children for all eternity, and to know the power and assurance we possess in Christ.

May we pray continually that we may see Christ more and more. 

 

Become a patron at Patreon!

Related posts:

  1. EP 15: Prioritizing God’s Word When Life is Busy
  2. 5 Benefits We Have in Christ – {Colossians 1:12-14}
  3. Podcast EP 56: Prayer (Spiritual Disciplines Series)
  4. Inductive Bible Study & A Walk Through Ephesians


Free Resource Library

Get more posts like this in your inbox!

And while you’re at it, you’ll receive access to our FREE library of resources to help you in your homemaking!.

(I will not spam you. Read my privacy policy.)

« EP 97: How a Timer Saves Me Time & Keeps Me Focused
EP 99: Blessed are the Pure in Heart (Sermon on the Mount Series – Matthew 5:8) »

Comments

  1. Joanne says

    at

    I’m going to take these verses outside with me right now and memorize them while I’m painting. I needed this reminder of God’s wisdom, power and purpose in all the interactions of my week! Thank you!!

  2. Melinda says

    at

    Thank you for your post this morning. I took notes for the things I need to be reminded of everyday!!

WEEKLY HOME CLEANING SCHEDULE SIDEBAR AD

Welcome to Thankful Homemaker

So thankful you’ve stopped by for a visit. Please grab a cup of coffee or tea and sit a bit. I hope to remind you that contentment in our role as homemakers begins with finding our satisfaction in Christ.

read more…

Ultimate Homemaking Binder Side Bar Ad

Categories

  • Bible Study
  • Christian Living
  • Holidays
  • Homemaking
  • Marriage
  • Menu Planning
  • Motherhood
  • Podcast
  • Time Management

thankfulhomemaker

Marci Ferrell
It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is anot It is better to get wisdom than gold. Gold is another’s, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity.⁣
~ Matthew Henry⁣
⁣
Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Whether you're running errands, doing household ch Whether you're running errands, doing household chores, or sipping your coffee, you can do it in style, reminding yourself and others you are a Thankful Homemaker 🥰⁣
⁣
Shop TH Gear at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
What do you think of when you hear the word discer What do you think of when you hear the word discernment? The dictionary defines it as making a distinction between good and evil and truth and falsehood. As believers, we all desire to be discerning and wise in our choices. As we mature and grow in our knowledge of the scriptures, the hope is we will use that information to make choices in line with God's will.⁣
⁣
We become discerning people by not just knowing what to think but how to think. Being spiritually discerning is an ability to see the world the way God does. This comes about as we grow and mature spiritually into the likeness of Christ. It is about seeing “All That's Good.”⁣
⁣
Read Seeking Whatever is Good at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
“Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench i “Waiting exposes our idols and throws a wrench into our coping mechanisms. It brings us to the end of what we can control and forces us to cry out to God. God doesn’t waste our waiting. He uses it to conform us to the image of his Son.”⁣
~ Betsy Childs Howard⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 23: Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding mysel As I’m sharing this episode, I’m finding myself in a waiting room on the Lord, and it’s been a long one, and I don’t see an end near.  It has reminded me that when I gave myself to Him, I gave up my “right” to be in charge. The reality is we never were in charge anyway; we just came to that understanding when the Lord opened our eyes to His sovereign control over our lives.⁣
⁣
Even though it is a truth I know or we know, how many times do we want to think that somehow we can effect change in our life situations?⁣
⁣
Waiting is hard because there is no guarantee that my waiting will end in this lifetime. One thing I have learned – my waiting has deepened my trust in the Lord and has helped me to develop patience, perseverance, and endurance.⁣
⁣
It’s also given me different eyes to see with compassion others who are in a season of waiting.⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 23 Seasons of Waiting at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Six questions I have written in my Bible that have Six questions I have written in my Bible that have been a help to me over the years may be a help to you, too, to be prayerful and slow to speak. These are helpful questions not just in our friendships but in our marriages and with our children, and truly any of our relationships:⁣
⁣
1. Is this the time to say this?⁣
2. Am I the person to say this?⁣
3. Is it necessary?⁣
4. Is it true?⁣
5. Is it kind?⁣
6. Do I need to say this?⁣
⁣
Listen in to EP 140: Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
We all know that fostering true biblical friendshi We all know that fostering true biblical friendship isn’t easy – it takes work. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we’re going to have trouble in this world, and trouble does touch all our lives in various areas, but this includes our friendships too.⁣
⁣
We’ll be hurt; we’ll be the ones hurting others; selfishness is a battle; jealousy and envy raise their ugly heads; we have our fears and insecurities, failed expectations, the damage our tongues do to one another, not appropriating the gospel and these all come from hearts that are still battling sin. ⁣
⁣
So when these threats to our friendship with one another in Christ come up, it shouldn’t surprise us that we have these issues, but what we need to keep at the forefront of our minds is how we respond and deal with them when they do come up. ⁣
⁣
I want to walk us through some of these threats, and this list I’m working with isn’t exhaustive – there are many more threats than what I am addressing today – but these are areas that stood out to me that have been a battle within some of my friendships over the years. Sadly, it is often the sin I’m battling in my heart, and I need to get my thinking, attitudes, and actions lined up with God’s Word.⁣
⁣
Listen to EP 140 Threats to Biblical Friendship at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
May we be women who are willing to return to the a May we be women who are willing to return to the authority of God’s Word, embrace God’s priorities for our lives and homes, and live out the beauty and wonder of womanhood as God created it to be.⁣
⁣
Read more at The History of Modern Feminism at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction Women will never find fulfillment and satisfaction by trying to be "like" men and shedding their uniqueness as a female.  They will only find satisfaction in Christ.⁣
⁣
Come read The History of Modern Feminism at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image)
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Access the FREE Library!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Thankful Homemaker · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy & Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email