“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” (Ephesians 1:16)

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus from his time in prison in Rome. In Paul’s prayer is one of thanksgiving for the church. As he remembers them, he continually is making mention of them to God. He remembers God’s blessings as the Holy Spirit came to the disciples of John the Baptist as they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. He also had taken the message of the Kingdom of God, proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah into the Synagogue. Then, he took the message into the lecture hall of Tyrannus, where they had daily discussions. “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” (Acts 19:10) He also remembers the challenges which arose there from his opponents. They were concerned about their businesses and the fame of their city. “There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” (Acts 19:27) He would also remember their time together as Paul was on His way to Jerusalem. “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.” (Acts 20:36)

With these memories and the reports Paul would hear concerning the church, he prayed. He was thankful for what God had given them through their relationship with Jesus Christ. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14) As Paul gives thanks to God for their faith, he also gives thanks for promise of their inheritance, which is also his inheritance. An inheritance where they will be together again in God’s presence.

Paul’s gratitude would continue as he gives thanks to God for their growing and maturing in their faith. “I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” (Ephesians 1:16-17) Paul wanted for believers to know Christ as Paul, himself, had a passion to know Him and thus, he prayed. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:10-12)

We need to continually make mention to God our desire to know Him and that all of us may have this desire to know him. Just as Paul had this passion, each of us needs this passion. This passion needs to be expressed as we daily come before our Heavenly Father in prayer. We are to offer these prayers for ourselves, which is our petition. Then we are to offer these prayers for each other and our fellow believers, which is our intercession. Praying for you.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block