Young People's Group

“The Eyes of Your Heart Being Enlightened…”

by Mitchell Tan
September 18, 2019

PRAYING FOR UNDERSTANDING

The apostle Paul was a man of God who did not take things for granted. He wanted to make sure that the Ephesian Church understood what he meant as he wrote of the blessings of salvation. He had explained to the Ephesians concerning how they had been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). These blessings are not so easy to fully comprehend. There is tremendous depth to these concepts. And they would only be theoretical unless there was further understanding sought by the Ephesians. Paul specially prayed for this.

1. HAVING HUMILITY IN PRAYER

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you”
Ephesians 1:17

When Paul prayed to the Lord, he did so with humility. He did not lay claims on anything that is of God. He prayed with the highest regard for God the Father. Firstly, he humbly related to Him as the God of our Lord Jesus. Secondly, he considered Him as the Father of great glory. Paul prayed in a way where the result of his prayer was completely left to the Lord to answer. He did not take it for granted that He would hear according to what he asked for.

2. ASKING THE SPIRIT OF GOD FOR UNDERSTANDING

“May give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened”
Ephesians 1:17-18

Paul sought to specially pray for the work of the Spirit of God to be upon the Ephesians.

A. THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION

The Spirit of God was already given to the Ephesians and they were sealed by Him (Ephesians 1:13). This work of the Holy Spirit is more with reference to salvation. It is through the Spirit that He would give wisdom and discernment to help the Ephesians to understand. The Spirit was the One who would reveal things to them. He would show them all things about the Lord Jesus.

B. IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM

The part that the Ephesians must be committed to doing is to grow in their knowledge of the Lord. They were to have a greater knowledge of Him.

C. THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED

Understanding does not come about just through a cerebral exercise. The word “understanding” in Greek means “heart”. The eyes of our heart need to be illumined. The light of understanding truth comes about when we grow in our knowledge and we pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to work on us. There will come the light and revelation to piece everything together.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. Let’s learn to pray with humility before the Lord.

2. Let’s pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given to us that we may be illumined to His truths.

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