[VB047 Podcast Notes]

Our Example Prayer for Enlightenment (Eph. 1:15-23)

There are two prayers in Ephesians: The first is for enlightenment, (1:15-23), and the second for enhancement, in chapter 3:13-21. Paul prays first that we may know what Christ has done for us; then in chapter 3, he prays that we may live up to these wonderful blessings and put them to work in our daily lives.

Open your Bible and follow along, beginning in Ephesians 1:15.

[15] Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, [16] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Therefore: (for this reason) “Therefore” is connecting the previous text as the reason to pray. The believers have acquired every spiritual blessing – including election, predestination, adoption, grace, redemption, forgiveness, wisdom, understanding, knowledge of the mystery of His will, the sealing of the Holy Spirit, and inheritance – and now Paul prays that his readers might know God personally and intimately.

Faith and Love for all the saints: This outgoing love is the evidence of genuine faith, working through love (Gal. 5:6). Two more pertinent reasons to pray.

This letter of Paul’s is to all the saints, including you and me.

Where Paul begins to pray is where we oftentimes cease to pray. When one begins to walk in faith is when spiritual effectiveness causes the enemy to attack – that’s when we should be active intercessors. Praying that the person continues to be enlightened with wisdom and knowledge of God. Being watchful… with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Eph. 6:18).

Making mention: mneia (me-na´-ah) Vine’s Words: Mention, Remember, Remembrance, Reminded.

This is one place that we get, “remember me in your prayers.” The NIV and others rightfully used “remember” here. The problem is that folks today do not remember. It’s just another cliché tossed around among adolescent Christians. Most of these good intentions are forgotten at the next drive through, or text message.

When someone asks me to remember them in prayer, I’ll say, “Let me pray for you right now, so I wont forget.” It usually catches the person off guard as they quickly begin to hear the Word of God spoken in faith over them.

Paul begins praying – That God may give you spiritual understanding (v. 17-18a)

[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, [18] the eyes of your understanding being enlightened….

Spirit: (small “s”) Pneuma, is used in different ways in Scripture. Primarily denotes wind. To breathe, blow. Like the wind is invisible, this is the invisible, immaterial, powerful part of man. God wants our spirits to be full of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. Wisdom and revelation are a product of the knowledge of God’s Word.

The word “spirit” can also describe a “mental disposition” (Strong’s 4151). We would probably say, “attitude,” as in “team spirit.” That is the way Paul was using “spirit” here and also in Ephesians 4:23, “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” (see also 1Thes. 5:23).

The Eyes Of Your Understanding: This is a reference to your soul or mind. True illumination or revelation takes place in the mind, not the spirit. Verse 17 tells us we are to have a spirit full of wisdom and revelation. However, in verse 18, we are told the eyes of our hearts have to be enlightened.

Revelation occurs when the wisdom of God, which resides in our spirit, explodes across our conscious mind. Illumination occurs when the mind and the spirit agree. We knew it all the time in our spirit, and it finally dawned on our minds. Usually, when this occurs, we say, “I see it!” We do not mean we see it with our eyeballs, but we “see” it with the “eyes of our spirit.”

Understanding: dianoia (diy-a'-noi-a) deep thought,