Through the Book of Ephesians
There is something beautiful about the way Paul prayed for the Church.
He wasn't simply praying for better circumstances, larger gatherings, or greater influence. He was praying for something deeper.
That the Church would know God.
That the eyes of our hearts would be opened. That we would be strengthened by His Spirit, rooted in the love of Christ, and filled with all the fullness of God.
Paul understood that when the Church is deeply rooted in Jesus, everything else flows from that place.
So often, our prayers for the Church center around what we want God to do through her. But Paul's prayers remind us to first seek what God desires to do within her.
We are not simply praying for a Church that does more. We are praying for a Church that knows Him more.
The Church is His body, His bride, and a dwelling place for His Spirit.
May these seven prayers from the book of Ephesians lead us beyond praying for outcomes and into praying for the deep, transforming work of God in His people.
1. That the Church Would Know Him More
Ephesians 1:16-17
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[a] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”
Father, give the Church the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know You better.
Awaken in us a deep hunger for Your presence. May we never become so familiar with the things of God that we lose our wonder for who You are.
Let knowing Jesus be our greatest pursuit.
2. That the Eyes of Our Hearts Would Be Opened
Ephesians 1:18–19
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[a]I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power.”
Father, enlighten the eyes of the Church's heart.
Open our eyes to the hope of Your calling, the riches of our inheritance in Christ, and the immeasurable greatness of Your power toward those who believe.
May we see beyond what is temporary and live with an eternal perspective.
3. That the Church Would Be Strengthened by His Spirit
Ephesians 3:16
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.”
Father, strengthen the Church with power through Your Spirit in our inner being.
Where we have grown weary, renew us. Where we have become weak, strengthen us.
May our confidence rest not in human ability, but in the power of Your Spirit at work within us.
4. That Christ Would Dwell Deeply in the Church
Ephesians 3:17
“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Father, may Christ dwell in the hearts of His people through faith.
Let the Church be deeply rooted and firmly established in Your love.
May Your presence not simply be something we gather around, but the very foundation upon which we build our lives.
5. That the Church Would Comprehend the Love of Christ
Ephesians 3:18–19
“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Father, give the Church strength to comprehend how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Take us beyond merely knowing about Your love and bring us into a deeper experience of it.
May we become a people so rooted in Your love that it overflows into the way we love one another and the world around us.
6. That the Church Would Walk in Unity and Maturity
Ephesians 4:1–16
“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.” (verse 5 and 6)
Father, teach the Church to walk worthy of the calling we have received.
Clothe us with humility, gentleness, patience, and love.
Guard the unity of Your Spirit among us. Raise up a mature Church, grounded in truth, growing together into the fullness of Christ.
May every part of the body be equipped and strengthened to do the work You have called us to do.
7. That the Church Would Awaken and Walk in Christ's Authority
Ephesians 6:10–18
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” (verse 13)
Father, awaken Your Church to the spiritual battle before us.
Remind us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness.
May we not live distracted, fearful, or asleep to the authority we have been given in Christ.
Jesus, You have conquered sin and death. You have defeated the powers of darkness through Your victory on the cross and resurrection.
Strengthen Your Church in Your mighty power.
Clothe us with the full armor of God. Teach us to stand firm in truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, and the Word of God.
Make us a praying Church, alert in the Spirit, steadfast in faith, and confident in the victory of Jesus.
May we walk boldly in the authority You have given us, not striving for victory, but standing in the victory You have already won.
Jesus, thank You for Your Church.
Thank You that we are Your body, Your bride, and a dwelling place for Your Spirit.
Thank you for calling us Your own, for loving us first and for drawing us in.
Forgive us for the times we have measured the health of the Church by outward success rather than inward surrender.
Draw us back to our first love.
May we be a people who know You deeply, love You with pure hearts, walk in humility and unity, and live fully surrendered to Your Spirit - Your will and Your way.
May the Church awaken to who she is, whose she is, and the One for whom she exists.
Jesus, have Your bride. For where else would we go? We need You.
And we are Yours. Amen.