Why Do You Pray? (Eph 3:14-19)

by Pastor Cesar Crisostomo |  November 11, 2018

Ephesians 3:14-19

What is the real motive for prayer? What is it that really motivates us to be the kind of people who pray because we believe it really makes a difference? Is our life characterize by a life of prayer? Praying in all circumstances whether the situation feels like you are in prison like the Apostle Paul was or whether free and enjoying everything that you can ever want or imagine (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:18).

The Apostle Paul teaches us about prayer.

1. Prayer is just absolutely essential. One of the most important thing we can do in life is pray. There is no greater need that we can have than to go on our knees and cry out to God and thanking Him that He is our Father.
2. Prayer is a priority. No matter the situation in life we should always consult with God first. Remember, Paul had a lot of things in his mind and they were not just the personal things of his own life, but he had great concerns about the world and what God wanted to do.
3. Prayer brings rest and peace. You rest a lot better after you come to the Lord in prayer (Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”) When you pray to your Heavenly Father there’s something about knowing that you have given it to somebody who is more concerned about it than you and more capable of fixing it and making it right than you.

What is the real motivation to pray? Why do you pray? What is the reason you and I find ourselves bowing on our knees before the Father (v.14)?

1. God is up to something. Paul was convinced that God was up to something. I need to believe that God is up to something and doing a work.

• We pray because we have needs, struggling about something, troubled and discouraged about somethings, but these were not the reason Paul prayed. Yes, he had great needs and problems but he understood God’s desires to touch this world. Paul prayed for the cause of bringing people to God and to know Him and walk in His love and ways (Ephesians 2:16-19).
• One of the discipline a Christian should have is to pray for everyone in their circle of influence to come to know Jesus and be transformed by His love.

2. Because God is our Father and we are His children. What are the benefits of being God’s child?

• A sense of security. Knowing that my Heavenly Father will give me what I need, exactly when I need it (Matthew 7:7-11).
• A sense of confidence. Have you been praying about things that are huge and seem impossible? When you stand in the mighty Name of God, there is victory, confidence that there is nothing that the enemy can do to stop what God has purposed to accomplish.
• A sense of real commitment (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31:6). God is committed to you and me to work things out no matter what is going in life.

3. Because people have needs (v.16). When you are praying for someone, when you are burdened for someone, here is how you should pray.

• Pray that God will begin to work His inner strength in them. This inner strength has to do with perseverance. Paul prayed that people will be filled with inner strength deep inside, a persevering heart so they could endure and not quit in the midst of hardship.
• Pray for spiritual depth (v.17-18). Depth in someone’s heart. Depth that says God I need your courage to stand. Real depth that says Lord I need faith in my life to trust you more. Depth that says Lord I need cleansing to remove hindrances in my life that gets in the way.
• Spiritual depth involves dwelling in God. Simply means you feel very comfortable around God and His ways.
• Spiritual depth involves being rooted. My life is deeply planted in the soil of faith.
• Spiritual depth involves being grounded, steadfast and sure.
• Pray for the fullness of God (v.19). Filled means to be controlled by, that our life is saturated by the Spirit of God.