How to Pray for Someone (5 Powerful Prayers from Ephesians)
Sermon Summary
In this message, Zach Daniel teaches from Ephesians 1 about the Apostle Paul, who even while imprisoned carried the Ephesian church on his heart and consistently prayed for them. Like the Old Testament priests who wore breastplates with 12 stones representing the tribes of Israel, Paul carried the names of believers before the Lord in prayer. He demonstrates for us what it means to have a ministry of intercession for those we care about, showing us that we are all called to be priests under Christ, carrying one another's names before God in prayer.
Paul's prayer reveals three specific spiritual realities he wanted the Ephesians to see with enlightened eyes: the hope to which God has called them, the riches of God's glorious inheritance in the saints and the immeasurable greatness of God's resurrection power at work in their lives. These are not mere concepts to understand intellectually but living realities that the Holy Spirit wants to open our eyes to experience. This prayer is not just ancient words on a page but a living template we can use to pray powerfully for one another and begin to watch the Lord move powerfully in our midst.
Key Scriptures
Ephesians 1:15-23 (ESV)
"For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don't need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God's Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. In Ephesians 1:15-16, Paul mentions two specific things he heard about the Ephesian believers that prompted his thanksgiving and prayer. What were these two things, and why do you think Paul connected their faith in Jesus with their love toward the saints? What does this tell us about authentic Christian faith?
2. Paul prays that God would give the Ephesians "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him" and have "the eyes of your hearts enlightened" (verses 17-18). What is the difference between knowing facts about God and having spiritual eyes enlightened to truly see and experience who God is?
3. In verses 20-23, Paul describes Christ's current position and authority. What specific details does Paul give about where Christ is seated and what authority He has? How does this description of Christ's supremacy connect to the prayer for believers to know God's power working in them (verse 19)?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. Scripture says that Paul, even while in prison facing his own trials, was carrying the Ephesian church on his heart in prayer rather than primarily asking them to pray for him. What does this reveal about Paul's character and priorities? When have you experienced someone faithfully praying for you during a difficult season, and how did their prayers strengthen or encourage you?
5. Paul prays that believers would know "the hope to which he has called you" (verse 18). The sermon explained that hope, not just love, should mark our lives as Christians and that our hope should be noticeable to others. What are the things in life that most commonly steal or diminish our hope? How does knowing we are called to a living hope change the way we face discouragement or difficulty?
6. In verse 18, Paul prays that we would know 'the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.' This verse points to a two-fold truth: the glorious inheritance God has prepared for us, and the reality that we ourselves are God's treasured inheritance. Why do we need to be reminded of both truths: what God has for us and how much God delights in us?
Putting It into Practice
7. The sermon challenged us to have a ministry of prayer like Paul, carrying specific people on our hearts before the Lord. Who are the people God has placed on your heart to pray for consistently? How can you intercede for them specifically?
8. Paul prays that believers would experience "the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe" (verse 19), the same resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead. In what specific area of your life do you need to ask God to open your eyes to see His resurrection power at work?
Prayer
Listening to the Holy Spirit: We're going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion tonight. Let's sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
Prayer Requests from Tonight's Study: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion tonight? How can we pray for you as you seek to apply what God has shown you?