Ephesians 3:14-15

Introduction

So far in the epistle Paul has explained Christ’s peace-making work, the creation of new society, and Paul’s personal involvement because of the revelation and commission he had received. Now from exposition he turns to intercession and prayer. Asks that God’s wonderful plan may be even more completely fulfilled in his reader’s experience. This should always be effect of grasping and understanding truth.

Doctrine is vital and forms foundation. Never grasp fullness and meaning of Christian life without doctrine. But then doctrine must be practical. Meant to lead to holy living and a life of prayer. Never to stay in mind but go into heart, hands and whole of life. Doctrine is meant to be practical and lead us to God. Never stands in isolation.

So here is the second of Paul’s prayers. In chapter 1 he prays for enlightenment. In chapter 3 he prays for enablement. Reading this prayer gives us the feeling of looking through parted curtains into holiest place of Christian life.

No possibility of dealing with all Paul says in one sermon. This week dealing with matters which Paul reveals about the nature of true prayer from his own disclosures about the matter. Place of prayer in Paul’s life, the attitude he adopts. The person to whom he prays, and the ground on which his prayer is offered.

Place of Prayer in Paul’s life

For this reason I kneel (Ephesians 3:14). “For this reason” is reference to all Paul has been saying about the Christian church – Jews and Gentiles united in same kingdom, family and temple, a foundation of apostles and prophets with Christ as its chief cornerstone. His prayer was based on knowledge of what God planned and had done. Here is important principle of prayer – base it on what God has revealed to be His will. No right to pray for anything God has not made known as His purpose. That is why Bible reading and prayer should always go together. In Scripture God has revealed His will. In prayer we ask Him to do it.

So therefore God has saved them and placed them in His family. Paul prays for them in a practical way. Interesting to remember Paul was a prisoner in jail in Rome, and can no longer visit these people as he longed to do. But not idle and wringing hands in despair. One thing enemy cannot prevent – praying for them. Enemy can put him in cell and bar and bolt the doors, but cannot stop him reaching heart of God.

Most comforting of truths in modern world, when many Christians are in prison and labour camps, or hemmed in because of physical weakness or circumstances – cannot have fellowship or come to church. In various ways they are lonely and isolated. One thing they can always do. One thing enemy and circumstances cannot prevent. They can reach out to God in prayer. That can never be hindered. Even if confined to a bed and cannot move an inch – can always go on praying. No one can take that away. Pray for self. Pray for others. Vital ministry of intercession.

Paul in prison, chained to soldiers but he is very active and busy. From prison he wrote epistles, and prayed constantly for the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, and daily for churches and individuals. Could still help and support then though not able to see them, just as he in turn depended on the prayer support of others. Therefore, not his usual ministry of preaching and teaching, but still a great ministry.

Here is very practical lesson. How much time do we spend praying not for selves but for others and for those in other countries, missionaries, missionary societies, as well as people at home. Also vital in dealing with others. Speak to them. Encourage them to read Bible. But need to pray for Holy Spirit to take and apply truth and open understanding to receive. Witnessing, teaching and praying go together. Just as in church context, Sunday preaching and Sunday School teaching is total waste of time unless church prayer meeting where people ask aid and enlightenment of Holy Spirit.

Great mystery here. God is all-powerful. Why pray? God has chosen in His eternal wisdom to work in that way. Causes purposes to come to pass through means of the prayers of His people.

Attitude in prayer

I kneel. Paul is not stressing physical posture but inner attitude expressed in that. Various postures for prayer in Bible. Normally stood – Abraham (Genesis 18:22), Solomon (1 Kings 8:22), but David sat before the Lord (1 Chronicles 17:16). Jesus fell on His face in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Here is Paul kneeling, as Stephen did in dying. Kneeling is unusual but indicated exceptional degree of earnestness. No fixed rule – stand, sit, kneel, walk, lie in some circumstances. But all would agree a slouching position is an abomination to the Lord.

It is not posture which is crucial, but state of heart. After all, some who claim prayer is never heard unless you kneel in church, think nothing of cursing the minute they are out of the church. Empty formalism is as useless as extreme casualism.

Main thing is to approach with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28). Deeply aware of enormous privilege. Not just presenting shopping list. But remembering we are face to face with God. Isaiah was at once aware of total unworthiness, man of unclean lips (Isaiah 6:5). John fell at risen Lord’s feet as one who was dead (Revelation 1:17). Even heavens are not clean or pure in His sight (Job 15:15). Even angels veil their faces in His presence (Isaiah 6:2).

Come first of all, humbly, worshipping, adoring, aware of His majesty and glory. Humbly aware of privilege. Ought never to proceed to particular petitions till we have first worshipped and praised and submitted selves entirely and utterly to Him. Not just bending of knees, but bending of spirits which is vital.

Person to whom he prays

From whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name (Ephesians 3:15). Difficult phrase to translate, but “whole family” is most likely term in this context, and some translations add to the Greek, family “of believers” to explain term, rendering it: Father from whom whole family of believers derives its name. Earlier explained how Jews and Gentiles are reconciled and brought into God’s family. Tells us something more of that family – same as in heaven and same as on earth. Some are now in Father’s nearer presence, safe in heaven. Others still on earth running the race. Some have arrived, the rest on the way.

But real union between two parts of family. In same covenant, indwelt by same Holy Spirit, love the same Saviour, names on same family register, enjoying same love of God, united in praise and prayer. Looking forward together to a glorious future – second coming, resurrection bodies, united again, and to be together with the Lord and with one another for eternity, and therefore to part no more.

Wordsworth’s famous poem about a little girl, one of seven. Though two of her siblings had died, she still insisted there were seven in the family:

“But they are dead! Those two are dead!

Their spirits are in heaven!

Twas throwing words away; for still

The little maid would have her will

And said, ‘Nay, we are seven’”

So we should think of God’s family even now as one, because death has no real separating power in the family. Death cannot separate us from the love of God. Death has removed part of the family to an upper room, but still one family.

Now prayer is offered to the Father that one family at present located in two places but one day to be fully united. Very loving and caring Father, who possesses glorious riches (Ephesians 1:18). And according to them He is able to supply all our need (Philippians 4:19). He has inexhaustible resources at his disposal and out of them He will be able to answer prayers directed at Him. He is a Father who knows our need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:32). He has given us life and a body and can certainly provide food and clothing. He says to us, “Do not worry.”

If we are in Christ, we are in His family. We are infinitely dear and important to Him – gives us sense of security and safety. So privileged.

Ground on which prayer is to be offered

By what right and authority dare we come and pray to Him? Earlier spoken of boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him i.e. Christ the Lord (Ephesians 2:18; 3:12). This is wonderful good news. Why should we, with all our failures, sin, waywardness and defilement, be given an audience in the presence of the almighty God, the One whose eyes are too pure to look on evil (Habakkuk 1:13)? He hides His face from wrong doing (Deuteronomy 31:18). He cannot look on sin (Isaiah 1:15). Cannot hear the prayers of sinners. And yet we have these three remarkable words – boldness, access, confidence. Entering His presence without fear or restraint or shame, sure of a welcome. Knowing for sure our prayer will be heard and welcomed.

The answer is “in Him” - in Christ. Access through Him to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). Brought near through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). The answer to this is the whole purpose of Christ’s coming into the world. He came to die for us. The Son of God, on the Cross, bore our sins, guilt and punishment in His own body. Removed that barrier, taken away that obstacle through His death. Only way that barrier could be removed. But for Christ, we would have every reason to fear and shrink and run away. But because of Him we can have boldness, access and confidence. No way into God’s presence apart from Christ. If there were other ways, Christ need never have come into the world and died.

How breezily people talk about prayer – just rushing into God’s presence. In trouble? Just tell Him what you want and you will be alright. All quite simple, as simple as breathing. No need for theology or doctrine. They may manage to persuade themselves that such ‘prayer’ makes them feel better and so it must be right, but such an attitude to prayer is a total denial of whole New Testament revelation. No access into holy presence of God apart from Christ. Whole point of New Testament teaching about Christ as Mediator and High Priest. Able to save those who go to the Father through Him. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18). He is the only one who can introduce us to God. The only one who can countersign our visitor’s pass. Son of God, the name written with His own blood.

But because of Him we can have boldness, access and confidence. Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22). Therefore Christ is our High Priest who has passed through heaven that we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14,16).

Whatever our feelings may be, and whatever doubts arise, the door is always open if we come through Christ. Tell Him all our troubles. Ask help for all our needs. Sure of most hearty welcome. We have as much right there as the greatest apostle and most outstanding man of God.

“Jesus, thy blood and righteousness

My beauty are, my glorious dress.

Bold shall I stand on that great day

For who aught to my charge shall lay

Fully absolved through thee I am,

From sin and fear, from guilt and shame”

Conclusion

No time to pray? What encouragements we find here. The example of the apostle, the love and care of the heavenly Father, and the grace in providing a Saviour – and He is so anxious to hear from us. No time? How dare we! What base ingratitude and despising of such love. Come near to God and He will come near to you (James 4:8).