SWORDS Bible Study: Eph 6:19

by Mari

Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

 

After instructing the Ephesians to pray for themselves and “for all saints” (Eph. 6:18), Paul added, “And for me” (v.19).  He asked them to pray for him too. He desired the prayers of the saints, and we should as well. We too should keep our brothers and sisters in prayer, and encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith to pray for us too!

These “and for me” words are a request of Paul to be kept in prayer. It is not just our command to pray for others, but also to desire the prayers of others! If Paul desired the prayers of others and he is our pattern today, how can we not desire the same?

Paul repeatedly asked the saints to pray for him throughout his epistles. Why did the Apostle desire the prayers of the saints?

Why do we desire the prayers of the saints?

After all, we are COMPLETE in Christ! So why do we pray for other saints and for ourselves? We already have ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places. What are you praying for, and why?

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Eph_1:3   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

I believe it is because we are complete in Christ that we can and should pray for one another, and when we do not know what to pray the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities and He makes intercession for us.

Rom_8:26   Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Prayer is NOT about greed to the obtaining the things of this world, or to bring about changes in our physical circumstances.

Prayer is not about our making intercession for others, as the Holy Spirit does this for us! Christ is RIGHT NOW at the right hand of God making intercession for us!

Rom_8:27   And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom_8:34   Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

A simple dispensational truth is that prayer is not about changing our physical circumstances, it is about the fact that prayer works on and in us!

We do not have Israel’s physical promises today in the dispensation of grace, such as the hope of an earthly kingdom, or if we obey the law we will be given physical safety and blessings. Today, once again, WE have ALL Spiritual blessings in Heavenly places! Today, we need to make a living, and wisely use our money to care for ourselves and our families, and the family of God. Today we walk by faith and not by sight. Today, God has spiritually given us the armour of God!

If you believe in the gospel given to Paul by the risen Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, YOU have eternal life in Christ! YOU are conquerors in Christ no matter your circumstances here and   now.

2Co_5:7   (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Rom_8:24-25   For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Eph 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Rom_16:25   Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Rom_8:37   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Notice specifically what Paul was asking them to pray for him.  He did not ask for prayer for his release from prison, or for his personal comfort.

His request was “that utterance may be given unto me”.   Paul wanted prayer that he would continue to give the gospel, even in chains, with JOY, by the will of God (Romans 15:32).  This was his prayer; it was his joy, his mission, his life, to preach the gospel of the grace of God.  He wanted prayer for continued boldness to teach and preach!

The bigger question is WHY did the Apostle Paul ask for the prayers of the saints? Why do we ask for prayers?

Paul knew that if they were praying, and if they were praying for the things he is asking, then they are doing God’s will. If they are praying for his ministry then they are desiring to see God’s will done on the earth, the gospel preached, and saints edified.

When they were praying for his ministry, they were setting their affections on things above, not on things on the earth! Paul wanted to see them walk in the Spirit and grow in zeal. He knew that prayer is one of the best ways to accomplish this, and he desired to see this fruit in them.

When we pray for ministries that are sharing the gospel of the grace of God, we can know we too are setting OUR affections on things above, not on things on the earth. We can know we too are in the will of God and that we too are bearing fruit!

We do not pray for a new car, a bigger house, more land, or winning the lottery for yourself or others. As a member of the Body of Christ, this understanding is based on the Biblical knowledge of where we are today in the dispensation of grace and the fact that we are crucified with Christ.

We are ambassadors of Christ, and therefore it is He who lives in us. Our priorities change once we believe and learn to rightly divide the word of truth. We begin to know who we are in Christ!

Gal_2:20   I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

When we pray today we keep this in mind:

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul asks the saints to pray for him for the same reason we should ask others to pray for us!

Prayer in the Spirit is beneficial and should motivate us into action!

Our focus is on God and our confidence is in Him alone. Our focus is not on earthly “things” but on a heavenly hope! Not in changing our earthly circumstances but in growing in Christ no matter our circumstances!

We pray for others for many reasons, here are just a few:

Col 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

How awesome is it to know someone would pray that you will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding?! Something that has eternal consequences, knowing God! And this does not happen by osmosis, it happens by our being in and studying the word of God! Believing in the word of God. The very mind of Christ! (1Co 2:16)

So that we may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, AND increasing in the knowledge of God!

Praying that each other may be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness!

We are not praying for a change in our physical circumstances, but spiritually that our inner man be strengthened. We pray in the Spirit for the things of the Spirit. This is praying in the will of God for ourselves and one another!

We pray for others to come to a knowledge of the truth, for wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him! For the eyes of our understanding to be enlightened, to know the hope of His calling, and the exceeding greatness of His power to-ward us who believe! To know the fulness of Him who filleth all in all!

Eph 1:16-23 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Paul asked for the prayers of the saints, NOT as if he did not already have these blessing, but so that WE TOO could have our eyes of understanding be enlightened to the power of the gospel through faith in making our prayers to God! So that our confidence would be in the doctrines and power of God which work in us, being in the will of God. He knew as our example that this is the way to have the power of Christ to rest upon us!

Col 1:11-14 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Php_4:6   Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1Th 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Prayer brings growth and comfort in us and can edify others. Prayer is the privilege of the believer with immediate access to God! God hears the prayers of the believer who has been justified by faith in Christ!

Rom 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Php 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

 

Next week is the conclusion to our study on the armor of God.  And what a grand conclusion it will be, because Paul tell us the whole purpose of God giving us armor!  It is also one of the most poignant of verses, to me, from Paul.

 

THE GOSPEL THAT SAVES
“I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved … that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

– 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJB)