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{Prayers of the New Testament} ~6

 A PRAYER OF PAUL - 

Becoming rooted in God’s love_ 

 
Wes is a hospital chaplain, and he loves his job. He considers it a great honour to be present in those holy moments when patients and loved ones wrestle with their mortality, think about what really matters to them and come face-to-face with God. 
He can tell countless stories about people who rediscovered the power of prayer while in the hospital and has had the privilege of walking with people as they reclaimed the faith they had as children. He has also seen relatives reconcile after years of feuding. 
“Money can’t buy this stuff” he says when he reflects on the miracles he has seen in hospital rooms. He feels like a rich man because he gets to see God’s presence there. 

 

[Discussion starter] What are the settings in your life where you experience spiritual riches in Christ? Describe to the group what those riches feel like to you. 

 

The Apostle Paul understands the riches we have in Christ and prays for the Christians in Ephesus to receive those same riches. His prayer gives us wonderful examples of requests we can make of God on behalf of sisters and brothers in the body of Christ... 

 

[Read Ephesians 3:7-21] 

 

What emotions do you sense behind Paul’s words in this prayer? 

 

According to verses 7-11, what is God’s intent? What is God’s purpose? 

 

What do you think Paul means by “the unsearchable riches of Christ”? 

 

 
What are some actions we can take in our everyday lives to help us become more aware of these riches that are ours as Christ’s followers? 

 

Verse 12 says that we can approach God with freedom and confidence because of Christ. What do you think are the biggest barriers to approaching God with freedom and confidence? 

 

Describe the roles played by each of the three persons of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – in verses 14-21. 

 

Verses 16-19 contain two distinct requests. 
Summarise these two requests. 

 

Power is mentioned twice in these two requests. 
Why is God’s power necessary to make them happen in our lives? 

 

Do you think “inner being” and “heart” in verses 16-17 refer to the same thing or something different? Why? 

 

Verse 17 draws on two metaphors: a building or home (Christ dwelling in our hearts and being established in love), and a plant or tree (being rooted in love). 
How do these two metaphors further your understanding of Paul’s desires for the Ephesians? 

 

How can we know something that surpasses knowledge (v19)? 

 

In the doxology (verses 20-21), the word “power” is used for the fourth time in this passage we are studying (vs 7, 13, 16, 21). “Glory” (“glorious” in v16) is used for the third time (vs 13, 16, 21). In what ways are God’s power and glory connected? 

 

If you could pick one part of this prayer to pray for yourself (or someone else) what would it be and why? 

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