Message Notes

SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Theme: “The Prayers of the Apostle Paul”

D. Improving our Expressions of Prayer

1. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:8)

a) Using the word “first”

i) To express “priority”

ii) And “choice”

iii) Reflective of the state of the heart and mind

iv) Never a general over-worked phrase that borders on the fringe of meaninglessness

b) Using the expression “I thank”

i) More than politeness

ii) Heart-felt gratitude

iii) Deeply personal (versus “mechanical”)

c) Using the phrase “my God”

i) Personal relationship/ walk with God

ii) God is never just an object of worship (distance)

iii) God is always personal

iv) He is also precious

v) He is deeply honoured and treasured

vi) Prayer must honour the Person of God

d) Using the phrase “Jesus Christ”

i) Christology in Paul’s theology is very strong

ii) Jesus is the Messiah (The Christ)

iii) His role and its significance is incalculable

2. Use of the word “always”

a) 1 Corinthians 1:4; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Philemon 4

b) Significance of the word as an “adverb”

i) Modifies the verb “thank” (translated as a verbal phrase “I thank”)

ii) It explains how Paul gave thanks

iii) It emphasises “continuity” or “perpetually”

iv) As opposed to “occasionally”

3. Use of the phrase “without ceasing” (2 Timothy 1:3)

a) It does not mean “twenty-four hours”

b) “Day and night”- an explanatory word

c) Praying regularly

d) Prayer is to be offered to God constantly

E. PRAYERS OF GREAT INSIGHT (Beyond basics)

1. Prayer for essential comprehension Ephesians 1:15-21

a) A careful analysis

b) Features highlighted

2. Prayer for greater comprehension (Ephesians 3:14-21)

a) A careful analysis

b) Features highlighted

F. A CLOSER EXAMINATION OF THE FIRST PRAYER OF GREAT INSIGHT
(Ephesians 1:15-21)

1. Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints (Ephesians 1:15)

a) “Therefore I also”

i) Causative

ii) Inferential

iii) Personal

b) “After I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints” (Ephesians 1:15)

i) “After I heard”

ii) “Of your faith in the Lord Jesus”

iii) “And your love for all the saints”

iv) Basis of praying further explained

2. “Do not cease to give thanks for you” (Ephesians 1:16)

a) Commencement of prayer… with thanksgiving

b) Continued prayer support

i) Discipline needed

ii) Dedication

c) “To give thanks” (Ephesians 1:16)

i) Normal (for Paul)

ii) Natural

iii) Consistent

d) “Making mention of you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16)

i) Remembering

ii) Making mention

iii) In personal prayers

3. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory” (Ephesians 1:17)

a) Praying to God consciously

b) Praying to God with a very clear and deep appreciation of who He is

i) The God of our Lord Jesus Christ Cf. John 20:17

ii) The Father of glory

4. “May give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17)

a) “May give…”

i) It is up to the Father to give as He so chooses

ii) Prayer is bringing a petition to God

iii) It is entirely up to God’s prerogative to answer according to His divine will

b) “Spirit of wisdom”

i) Only the Spirit can give deep wisdom

ii) Only the Spirit knows the kind of wisdom to give

c) “Spirit of revelation”

i) Only the Spirit of God can reveal the truth

ii) Only He can do this special work of revelation

d) “In the knowledge of Him”

i) Knowledge of the Lord is within easy reach

ii) But wisdom is what the Spirit of God must give

iii) It is up to the Lord to grant wisdom

iv) Our part is to seek this from God the Father

5. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened” Ephesians 1:18a

a) “Eyes of your understanding”

b) Literal translation reads “The eyes of your heart”

i) Understanding that comes from the heart

ii) More than just the mind

c) This is the result of having the Spirit of wisdom and revelation working in us

i) He opens the mind

ii) He opens the heart too

d) Being enlightened

i) Light is shed

ii) This light is not momentary action

iii) This light has on-going impact

iv) The enlightened person continues to walk in the light that he has been given

(Continued in Session 3)