JesusWalk Bible Study Forum: Q1. Prayer for a Revelation of God - JesusWalk Bible Study Forum

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?

This prayer is obviously for people who already have saving faith in Christ. Paul's manner of prayer for them teaches me that love, appreciation, and concern for fellow believers are very important, even expected. It is, quite simply, loving those whom God loves. To continually have them on my heart, to be grateful for them, to keep their names before the Lord with a desire for their spiritual understanding and growth is a high expression of that love.

We have already learned that God expects believers to pray for others and that He partners with those prayers to intercede. It may be very important to pray for each other because so many times we don't even know what/how to pray for ourselves. Someone may recognize a need in me that I don't realize or that I'm not ready to pray for myself.

I have to believe that God is always at work to draw individuals closer to Himself. It may be to bring light to a sinner lost in darkness. It may be to bring greater knowledge and deeper insight to a saved child who needs to know Him better. But He has given us a privilege and a responsibility to join with Him, and I am certain that much is lost to us because no one prayed. That would make this kind of prayer for spiritual growth very important.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers?
Pray continually and pray pacific prayers. I don’t think God wants to hear general prayers he want us to ask for exactly what we want and to be insistent about our requests.

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own?
I am not sure about this because God can do anything with out our help but we are called to intercede for other. If we love our brothers as Christ loved us we would have no trouble praying for them.

How important is this kind of prayer?

In verse 4 of 1 John 2 the word says to keep His commandments. His is referring to Jesus and the commandments Rom 13:9 commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."So John is saying keep Jesus’ commandment love your brother so what if we don’t. Look at verse 10 and 11 of 1 John2, 10(AA)The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11But the one who (AB)hates his brother is in the darkness and (AC)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (AD)blinded his eyes.So if we want to live in the Light of Christ and not stumble (sin) love your brother and pray for him.

1 John 2 1(A)My little children, I am (B)writing these things to you so that you may not sin And if anyone sins, ©we have an [a](D)Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and He Himself is (E)the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also (F)for those of the whole world. 3(G)By this we know that we have come to (H)know Him, if we (I)keep His commandments. 4The one who says, "(J)I have come to (K)know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a (L)liar, and (M)the truth is not in him; 5but whoever (N)keeps His word, in him the (O)love of God has truly been perfected (P)By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says he (Q)abides in Him ®ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 7(S)Beloved, I am (T)not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had (U)from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8On the other hand, I am writing (V)a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because (W)the darkness is passing away and (X)the true Light is already shining. 9The one who says he is in the Light and yet (Y)hates his (Z)brother is in the darkness until now. 10(AA)The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11But the one who (AB)hates his brother is in the darkness and (AC)walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has (AD)blinded his eyes.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?

That he prayed continuously and with sincere concern from his heart that God would work in them so that they might have a deeper understanding of His Word, drawing them closer to Him so that they would be blessed with God's fullness and bring glory to God.

No - not without revelation and insight. Without this and the presence of the Holy Spirit they would have no understanding of His Word.

Paul had a deep love and responsibility to praying for other believers, because it is commanded to all believers to do so. We are part of the Body of Christ, and a lonely stone in His temple. We NEED each other and their prayer support and encourgement all of which we are instructed to give to others.
As far as others coming to Christ without our prayers, I believe God elects and predestines who will be saved, but since He has told us to pray for the workers in the Harvest of His Kingdom, and since we are in the fellowship of His Body of believers, we would be amiss not to pray for those who do and do not know Him.. We do not know who has been chosen, and I think He puts in our hearts to pray for unbelievers and sinners and all mankind, even nations. Perhaps our prayers are used for drawing them closer to Him sooner than if they were to search on their own? All I really KNOW is that He has commanded us to pray for them, and for whatever reason, I will pray, just like I continue to pray for the salvation of my sons and brother and friends who do not know HIm.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ are greatly in need of our prayers to persevere in the faith and to keep on keeping on working in the harvest fields. Paul was very conscious of the great NEEDS of his fellow missionaries in their working to bring in the harvest, and realized the many temptations and wrong things they would be exposed to which would cause them to falter or preach the wrong doctrine....thus his constancy in prayer for them, for Paul was a true missionary with the Lords' will being his will also. Paul's love was very deep for the Lord and his people in trying to guide them into the Knowledge and love of Christ....PERSONALLY.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?


From Paul's manner of prayer, we learn to pray without ceasing, giving thanks for new believers, pray with burden and commitment. As we have learnt previously, intercessory prayers are not ordinary two bit prayers but they are prayers of commitment and deep involvement. It should not be taken lightly.

When the disciples were rebuked and asked to keep quiet when Jesus made His truimphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus answered them that if the disciples were forced to keep quiet, then the stones would cry out. Yes, if we stopped praying God would raise some other source of revealing Himself to His people, but then we would miss out on the great opportunity of being ambassadors for Christ. God would stop working in us and we would be relegated to 'have beens' and face voluntary retirement from active service to the Lord. To be in constant 'limelight' of the Lord or rather be in His fellowship continuously, we need to have such kind of prayer life. A prayer life that builds up society, church, and members in need of prayers. Its true, prayer accomplishes many things. If we believe that, then we should spend more time in quality prayer.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers?
PAUL PRAYS FOR OTHER BELIEVERS THAT THEY MAY HAVE A REVELATION OF GOD. THAT THEY WILL GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING , THEY WILL DEVELOP A SPIRTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD BY KNOWING GOD BETTER, SO THEY CAN AND WILL APPRECIATE GOD'S POWER, CHRIST LOVE, SO THEY CAN BE FILLED WITH GOD'S FULNESS AND GIVE GLORY TO GOD IN ALL THEY DO.

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own?
NO THEY WOULD NOT COME TO KNOW GOD ON THEIR OWN. THEY MUST BE TAUGHT. IT ALSO TAKES THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Would God work in them at all?
IF GOD DID WORK IN THEM THEY WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY WOULD BE DUMB AND BLIND WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT. THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM.

How important is this kind of prayer?
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT KIND OF PRAYER IT DEVELOPS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. A VERY DEEP SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP. AND TO PRAY THAT OTHER BELIEVERS CAN ALSO ACQUIRE THIS TYPE OF PRAYER AND UNDERSTANDING.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers?

[I]Paul prays intercessory prayers, for insight, inner strength, and love for the believers, for the purpose that they will comprehend/understand truth, know God better, and be filled to overflowing with God.

Paul prayed for the believers to have a breakthrough in their comprehension and understanding of what it's all about. Paul prays that their lives will be filled with God - which is another way to say "know him" and have "Christ dwell in your hearts."

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Not unless it is in the plan of the maker, God the most high. Paul himself is a classic example of such. As a perscutor, I am sure the believers were not praying for Pauls conversion.

Would God work in them at all? [/I]That is Gods own perogative. He decides. In his due time and process. Man cannot pre-empt the workings of God. Faith moves God. The volume does not matter as even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.[COLOR=blue]

How important is this kind of prayer? Prayers of this nature are important as continued and persistant prayers are like adding constant prompts and reminders that, something must be done or acted upon or needs attention.

This post has been edited by ekila: 05 December 2005 - 11:30 PM

That he prayed continually for them and thanked God for them
It is doubtful if they would. They wouldn't know what God has promised us. The Holy Spirit must dwell in a person for that person to accept the things from God's Spirit. God would not work in them uninvited.
We must have revelation and insight to know the things that God brings to us, otherwise we would be ignorant of the Word.

Q1, Paul's prayer for the Ephesians was that they might really understand who Christ is. Christ is our goal and model and the more we know of him, the more we will be like him. Personal knowledge of Christ is life-changing.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?

He was sincere and he prayed continuously praying for a deeper understanding of the Word of God in their hears. The solid foundation that we should pray for every believer.

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? - i think sometimes - God would draw the people to faith because it is always by the Holy SPirit that we come to faith. Samuel considered it a sin NOT to pray for people, we too, should pray for the lost -


Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer? - God has a special plan for all of us - and he uses other believers to be a part of that plan for the unsaved.

The prayer is important becaue it makes our relationship deeper and closer to God - - it reminds us of our duty to spread the word - and to be a witness for his kingdom.

What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?

His prayer is specific and to the point and encompasses exactly what is needed; it shows genuine concern for who is praying for and that he has spent some time thinking through what is needed. Yes people would come to God on their own, people's salvation is due to work of Calvary not to our efforts on their behalf. I think our prayers help, spiritually, in their daily battle of life against the flesh and the enemy of our souls. This kind of prayer is very important because it shows concern and love for those we are called to serve.

I think we should all learn that as believers, we need to constantly pray for each other to mature in our faith, as well as "grow up in Christ". We should want other believers to experience God's awesome power!.

I don't really know if people would come to God on their own or not. Everyone is different, it might depend on circumstances for each individual. But we as followers of Christ have a responsibility to ask that un-believers come to Christ. This kind of prayer is imperative for the faith of the Body of Christ.

What stands out in my mind is his consistancy in praying the "same" thing for them. As it was put till they "get it". And that the Spirit would open up their understanding, that the Spirit of God does His work inside of them. To me it means that Paul aquired quite a list of people and things to pray consistantly for, having founded Churches, he didn't just leave them to flounder but kept them constantly in his heart and prayer.

It is most unlikely that unless the Spirit of Christ does the revealing, mankind would never aquire the spiritual understanding needed to attain true salvation. Man doesn't know where to look, without the Spirit's intervention we'd still be bowing down to nature or something worse. Jesus mentioned that the Samaritans worshiped that which they did not know, are we any different without the Spirit's revelation of Himself and the Godhead?

God would and has revealed Himself to His creation in various ways that we may perceive His Glorious love towards mankind. Gaining a true understanding of Himself, takes Himself to do that. I marvel at the many testimonies of God's gracious love in revealing to the longing and searching heart Himself. Fullness requires the Spirit.

It makes surface knowledge or understanding of the Godhead, Faith and the many important things needed in Christian growth a requirement. Or stated another way, it make the believer hungry for the many things of God. And this type of prayer, paramount.

I learn that Paul is very encouraged by the reports he gets of the Ephesians, and he desires to encourage them all the more through thoughtful and specific prayers to aide them in their pursuit of the Holy.

If they were praying that for themselves, I am pretty sure God would give it to them, because I pray for stuff like that, and He gives to me those things, but I must continually ask and so often I just dont.

So yes, it is very important. Just like I wouldn't be here right now posting this answer if my two saved family members and their churches hadn't prayed for me, I need to pray for these things for other's knowing God will honor that prayer. Again, so often I don't.

I learn that Paul loves them, and so they are constantly in his thoughts. He longs for news of them and is ecstatic to hear a good report. He has been there, although not for a long time, so his relationship with them is personal, and some of their faces are imprinted on his brain. Through his constant prayers for them he keeps their memory alive and the relationship strong, and also, since Father hears and answers his prayers, they are blessed and prosper, both personally and in their faith.

I know of people who have become Christians without any Christian contact or literature (Bible), just by sheer revelation direct from Jesus. God can operate in an unimited manner at any time. However, he does share the great commission with us, and most people invite Him into their lives as a result of someone's prayer for them, and possibly the love that flows with it ("By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, that you love one another").

Father is not limited. His word achieves all that He purposes. The Holy Spirit is continually watching out for those who are honestly seeking Him, and can lead such people into relationship with God. However, this does not exonerate us from our part of loving and praying, because the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. The only thing we can take with us to Heaven is another person, and we need to be about that business, largely on our knees!

This prayer is generative. It is the operation of love, and part of the creative nature of both God and Man, (made in the image of God). It actually creates ............................ so much. It creates our sphere of operations. It awakens our spirit to what is possible in God. (All things are possible with HIm) It locks us into the eternal perspective whose threshold we visited in reading the Bible. It enables the Holy Spirit to operate through us with groans too deep for words - this truly makes us the operative bride of Christ preparing her vineyard for His arrival. This prayer is also praise which brings the presence of God into our lives and the lives of those for whom we pray. In the presence of God miracles take place. We can't do without His miracles. This is what Life is all about - walking in the works that He has prepared for us to walk in.

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers? If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own? Would God work in them at all? How important is this kind of prayer?

What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesian believers?

I think he wants them and us to really know the word. So he prays for us to have wisdom and understanding. Without it we can't really say we know him at all.

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own?

How could they know, if we don't pray for them to know, or talk to them? We have to pray for others that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their need for a savior.

Would God work in them at all?

Yes i believe he can. He will use anyone that will let him. He is a God that can do the imposible through us if we will alllow him to. Thank you Jesus.

How important is this kind of prayer?

I think its very important. Cause they will never know if we don't pray for them to come to know him.

Paul is praying with his whole heart. He prays that God give the people wisdom, revelation, strength, etc. so that they will know God better, on a more personal level.

I think that prayer is a powerful tool and many. many, many Christians have come to know God through intercessory prayers but at the same time, through Gods help, the reading of scripture and other tools there are some who have come to know Him also.

Yes, God can do a mighty work in them. Look at Paul, the great persecutor of believers. I do not believe that it says in scripture that anyone was praying for him and look what God did. Totally amazing to me.

This kind of prayer is extremely important because so many are reached by the power of prayer. There are so many that may have been lost if someone wasn't out there praying for them.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Paul's prayer for the believers is very deep,emotional,spirtual cause he wants them to know that God is their for them. He gives all his being in praying for them in both parts of Ephesians. He intercedes that they may know that in spite of verything God is for them.

I feel that if christians stopped praying for a revelation that they would be lost if others were not interceding for their spirtual lives. What Paul did was intercede so may times even while in prison cause he wanted them to be saved.After the person has been introduced to God then it is possible for them to seek God on their own through the Word and prayer which are powerful tools.

This kind of prayers really help our spirtual lives and our daily lives as christians

Q1. (1:17-18). What do you learn from Paul's manner of prayer for the Ephesians believers?
We learn just how important it is to keep each other in prayer to lift one another to be able to intercede one for another. By praying for them to grow in God we grow in God.

If Christians stopped praying for people to receive a revelation of God, would people come to know God on their own?
Some may come to know him if they seek him and put him first but without the prayers of others we would not receive as much from God because he does answer the prayers of his chosen ones. The Holy Spirit also revels things to us to let us know God more so it is possible that they would learn.

Would God work in them at all?
Faith is one thing God gives to each person. He said to all a measure of faith has been given. So he can work in them and lead them. To say that if they where not prayed for they could not make it would be limiting Gods powers. He can do all things even the impossible. Thank you Lord.
How important is this kind of prayer?
God answers the prayers of those that call out to him. So when we pray for others he will answer and help them. So these prayers are very important and they are necessary not just for those we are praying for but for the one that is praying we much keep our prayer life alive so that we can hear from God. He did not want us selfish and unforgiving he wants us to love one another as he loved us.