Young Adults' Group

A Prayer For Enlightenment

by Pastor Mark
August 02, 2018

A most important prayer

Praying for enlightenment is one of the most important things that we should desire to learn. The Apostle Paul recognised this need for enlightenment for the brethren in Ephesus and he offered this special prayer for them.

The example of Paul praying

“do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:” (Eph 1:16,17)

Paul exemplified to the brethren not to cease in praying. Praying for enlightenment should not just be offered for the moment but to be offered constantly. Enlightenment is not something that will come easily. The challenge is for us to continue to pray and to seek till we are enlightened.

The involvement of the Spirit of God

“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation…” (Eph 1:17)The prayer for enlightenment involves the Spirit of God. It is the Spirit of God who can give us enlightenment. He is described as the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. It is through the Spirit that we are given deep wisdom from God. The Spirit is also described as the One giving divine revelations. Let us pray for the Spirit of God to be given to us – to bring us His wisdom and revelation that we may be enlightened.

The knowledge of God

“in the knowledge of Him,” (Eph 1:17) First, we must have the acquisition of the knowledge of God. Without this knowledge, the Spirit of God would not be able to give us enlightenment. The word “knowledge” in Greek is “epignosis”. “gnosis” means “knowledge”…a reference to basic knowledge. With the additional preposition “epi”, it intensifies the word. It is a reference to a deeper knowledge of God. The challenge is for us to grow in our knowledge of God first through His Word that we may be more enlightened.

The eyes of our understanding to be enlightened

“the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know…” (Eph 1:18)

The word “understanding” in Greek is “kardia” which means “heart”. Paul was making a reference to the eyes of the heart. It is the heart that must have enlightenment. As the Spirit opens the eyes of the mind, He also opens the eyes of the heart. Both the mind and the heart are involved in the process of being enlightened. Our level of comprehension should not be just of the mind but also of the heart. The word “being enlightened” in Greek is “photizo” which means “to shed light”. Paul used the Greek perfect tense for “being enlightened”. This means once we have been enlightened, the effect is that we will know (eido). We will be able to see and know in a far more complete manner. Let us pray for the Spirit of God to enlighten the eyes of our heart that we may know His Word more deeply.

The Spirit of God working

How does the Spirit of God work in giving us understanding and enlightenment? Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” (1 Cor 2:13) The Holy Spirit teaches by comparing spiritual things with spiritual things…the Word of God with the Word of God. We understand a portion of Scripture through making reference to another portion of Scripture. This is how the Holy Spirit will teach and enlighten us. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten us in our study of the Word of God.

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