Download: Prayer by the Book 3 & 4 Notes

1 John 5:14-15; Proverbs 15:29

Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…

Perseverance – asking, seeking, knocking. Jesus’ parables – the widow woman and friend at midnight. For all saints as we are led by the spirit.

INTERCESSION

The word “intercession” means to go between or to plead on behalf of another. It literally means to step in for someone else:

To stand in between someone and something. Matthew 8:24-27

To speak up or plead on someone’s behalf. Luke 22:31-33

To intervene in one situation for the sake of another. Hebrew 4:14-16

Throne of Grace – In contrast to the fearful approach to God under the Old Covenant (where only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year), believers now have open access to God because of Christ’s priestly intercession.

In prayer, intercession is when you pray to God for someone else — asking for His help, mercy, grace, healing, provision, or guidance for them.

Jesus as the Ultimate Intercessor — Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

We are Called to Intercede for Others–1 Timothy 2:1-4

We love each other and really want to help or bless, intercessory prayer is one of the great ways we can do so.

As we examine these intercessory prayers, the point is not to communicate with God in a ritualistic manner or to have a repetition of memorized words. The prayers are indeed powerful but are not a magical formula. We want to grasp the concepts to incorporate into our prayers. Similar to the Lord’s Prayer we are looking for guidelines for the things that God deems important to include in our prayers for ourselves and others.

I … do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers

↓ that (substance of the prayer)

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

↓ that leads to

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,

↓ so that

so that you will know

↓ three of God’s desires

1 what is the hope of His calling,

2 what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

3 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

↓ In accordance with

These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might

which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

The prayer is addressed to God the Father and not Jesus our Lord.

Spirit — The prayer is for those who already have the holy spirit. So, spirit here means an attitude, mindset, disposition or a pervasive influence. Similar to Galatians 6:1 “spirit of gentleness”; Romans 8:15 “spirit of slavery”, “spirit of adoption”, 2 Timothy 1:7 “spirit of fear”.

Wisdom — Godly wisdom comes from God. Proverbs 2:6-7 We must be connected to God to gain His wisdom.

Wisdom is essential for truly knowing God, especially in a world affected by evil.

Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; Acts 20:29–30; 2 Corinthians 11:13–15; Galatians 1:6–9; 2 Peter 2:1–3

James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach [w/o finding fault, w/o rebuke] and it will be given to him.

Revelation — an unveiling or revealing of what is hidden — God making Himself and His ways known to us.

Knowledge (epignōsis) — is a deep, personal, experiential knowledge, not just knowing facts about God, but truly knowing Him in relationship. God wants us to know Him and His desires for human family.

THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD!

Can you think of anyone that might benefit from this prayer?

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know…

Heart — the core of your being, including how you think, what you choose, what you feel. It is the well-spring of life, rather than some flippant, meaningless or random thought.

Proverbs 4:23 (REV) More than anything else you protect, guard your heart, because from it flow the issues of life.

Enlightened — means to be illuminated by light — not just in the sense of knowing something, but truly understanding and comprehending it on a deeper, spiritual level. It’s the difference between hearing a truth and having it come alive inside you, where it changes how you see and live.

EYES OF YOUR HEART MAY BE ENLIGHTENED

Can you think of anyone that might benefit from you praying this for them?

Ephesians 1:18 …what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints

The emphasis is on His, not ours. God desires for us to understand His heart, His purposes, and our place within them.

His calling

Genesis 1:26-28 God’s original calling was for humans to be like Him on the earth.

Colossians 1:15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

Hebrews 1:3 And He [Jesus] is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature and upholds all things by the word of His power.

In Jesus we see what God wanted for all humans.

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son….

Ephesians 1:18 what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints:

Inheritance:

Ephesians 1:11, 13-15 We are His inheritance, and He is ours.

1 Peter 1:3-5; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 8:16-17

WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, WHAT ARE THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS

Can you think of someone who might benefit from your prayer regarding this subject?

Ephesians 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.

20- 23 The same power that did what it did for Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 God wants you to know His power that made you who you are today and will make you who are when Christ returns. The same power that did for Jesus will do it for you.

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.

If you walk with God, you already experience this power in you so we can have confidence that same power will transform you when Christ returns.

WHAT IS THE SURPASSING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TOWARD US WHO BELIEVE.

Can you think of anyone that might benefit from your prayers?

We can add the following for our intercessory prayers for others:

Know what is the hope of His calling.

Know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

Know the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.