Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

(Ephesians 1:15–23)

There are some prayers in the Bible that stop me in my tracks. They’re not the quick, desperate “help me, Lord!” kinds of prayers we often pray in the heat of the moment (though God hears those too). They are deep, Spirit-filled prayers that feel like they were written not just for the original hearers, but for you and me today.

Ephesians 1:15–23 is one of those prayers. Paul is writing to believers he dearly loves, and he isn’t just praying that they’d “get through the week.” He’s praying for them to see and experience the fullness of what it means to belong to Jesus. And here’s the good news: this prayer can serve as an outline for our own prayers too.

When you pray Scripture, you don’t have to wonder if you’re praying God’s will. His Word is His will. And when we take these words of Paul and make them our own, we step into a way of praying that aligns our hearts with God’s heart.

So what exactly does Paul pray? And how does it impact the way we live and pray today? Let’s walk through it together.

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Paul starts in verse 16 by saying: “I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly” (NLT). Right away, we see something that challenges us. How often do we thank God for the people in our lives? Not just when they do something nice for us, but constantly, with gratitude? Paul’s heart was full of thanksgiving before he ever got around to making requests.

Then he begins his prayer in verse 17:

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (NIV)

This is where it all begins. Paul doesn’t pray first for their problems to go away. He doesn’t pray for success or comfort or even safety. He prays for them to know God more deeply.

If we’re honest, that isn’t usually how we pray. Most of our prayers revolve around circumstances—help me pass this test, heal this sickness, fix this relationship, open this door. And those are good things to bring to God! But Paul reminds us that the deepest prayer we can pray—for ourselves and others—is that we may know God better. Because when we know Him, everything else shifts. Wisdom, peace, strength, joy—all flow out of intimacy with Him.

Eyes to See Hope

Next, Paul prays:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…” (Eph. 1:18a, NIV)

What a phrase—the “eyes of your heart.” You have physical eyes, but Paul is talking about spiritual vision. He’s asking God to open the deepest part of their being so they can see what they already have in Christ.

And what do they see? Hope. Not a vague, wishful thinking kind of hope, but a living hope. The hope that comes from being called by God Himself.

That hope is more than “someday when I die I’ll go to heaven.” It’s the confidence that right now, no matter what you’re walking through, God’s promises are secure. Jesus Himself said, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). You don’t have to be crushed by despair, because your future is in His hands.

Our Inheritance in Christ

Paul goes further:

“…that you may know the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people” (Eph. 1:18b, NIV).

He wants them to discover the treasure they already have in Christ. So what is this inheritance? Scripture paints a vivid picture:

• Adoption into God’s family (Rom. 8:15–17). You’re not just forgiven—you’re a beloved child of God.
• Eternal life in His kingdom (John 3:16). Death does not have the last word.
• Forgiveness and righteousness (Eph. 1:7; 2 Cor. 5:21). Your sins are gone, and you’ve been made right with God.
• Shared glory with Jesus (Rom. 8:17). His victory is your victory.
• A secured treasure (1 Pet. 1:3–4). Nothing can steal what God has promised you.

And here’s the kicker: this inheritance doesn’t just start “someday.” It begins the moment you put your faith in Jesus. Eternal life is not just a future event—it’s a present reality. Jesus said, “This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Resurrection Power

Paul then turns to power:

“…and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead…” (Eph. 1:19–20, NIV)

Let that sink in. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave lives in you through the Holy Spirit. You are not powerless. You don’t have to live defeated.

When temptation feels overwhelming, when fear grips you, when your circumstances look impossible—you have resurrection power inside of you. Not your own strength, but God’s strength. Paul elsewhere says, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13, NIV).

Christ’s Position—and Ours

Paul closes this prayer by painting a picture of Jesus’ exalted position:

“[God] seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion… And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body…” (Eph. 1:20–23, NIV)

Jesus is not struggling to hold things together. He is seated in authority, reigning over all things—seen and unseen. And because we are in Christ, Paul elsewhere reminds us, we are seated with Him (Eph. 2:6). That means His victory is our victory. His authority is our authority.

But here’s the key: you can’t exercise an authority you don’t live in. You have to remain in Him. Jesus Himself said, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you” (John 15:4). As we abide in Him, we learn to walk in the reality of who He is and who we are in Him.

Living It Out

So what does this mean for us today? Paul’s prayer isn’t just words on a page—it’s an invitation to a new way of living and praying.

1. Pray for deeper knowledge of God. Make this your first prayer. Instead of rushing to your needs, start with, “Lord, help me know You better.”
2. Pray for eyes to see hope. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart when circumstances cloud your vision.
3. Remember your inheritance. You don’t have to strive for approval or security—you already have them in Christ.
4. Walk in resurrection power. Don’t live like you’re powerless when the Spirit of God lives in you.
5. Abide in Christ’s authority. Stay close to Him, and His authority will flow naturally in your life.

A Personal Challenge

I’ll be honest: it’s easy for me to read Paul’s prayer and nod in agreement but then go right back to living as if I’m on my own strength. Maybe you do the same. We pray small prayers when God invites us into big ones.

So here’s my challenge: What if you took Ephesians 1:15–23 and prayed it daily for the next month—over yourself, your family, your church? What if you asked God to open the eyes of your heart and show you the inheritance and power you already have in Christ?

I believe your faith would grow. Your perspective would shift. And you’d begin to live not just with head knowledge of God, but with heart knowledge—real relationship, real hope, real power.

Because Paul’s prayer isn’t just for the Ephesians. It’s for you.

📖 Ephesians 1:15–23 is a prayer worth living into. And when you pray it, you don’t have to wonder if you’re praying God’s will. You are.

So, are you ready to open the eyes of your heart?