Ephesians 3 is the home of a powerful, moving prayer that Paul prayed over the Ephesians. I doubt this is the kind of prayer we often pray over our friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, or our family. So often our prayers are asking for a specific thing, such as healing, a new job, financial provision, progress in a relationship.  Those prayers are fine, too. But I am thinking we Christians are missing out on a richer prayer experience for our friends. Let's take a look at verses 14-21 as a model prayer (not the only model prayer, but a good one.)

Verse 14: For this reason I kneel before the Father

Paul has a specific reason to pray, and his posture reflects his submission to God before he even offers the request.

Verse 15: From whom his whole family in heaven on earth derives its name

Isn't this a beautiful picture of the unified family of God, consisting both of believers on earth and believers in heaven, all sharing God as Father?

Verse 16: I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

Here's where his type of prayer diverges from what we often pray. He acknowledges God as the source of all strength--that God has plenty to give. He asks that God take out of His storehouse strength for believers...power through His Spirit...within us.

Do you ever need to feel God's power within you? Wouldn't you like someone to pray for God's power to be real to you?

Verse 17: So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love...

Here's where Paul puts some responsibility on the believer. Christ dwells within us...our faith opened the door. Being "rooted" and "established" takes time and effort. Love doesn't always come easily, but to Paul, it is an essential element of character for the believer.

Verse 18: may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...

Note Paul's emphasis on a community of believers and his desire for them to have the "power to grasp" how very deeply God loves them.

Why would it take power to grasp this? I think we have a much harder time accepting God's love than we admit. We hang onto guilt, resentment, sadness, etc. but find love fleeting (do you ever feel an almost constant need for reassurance?) I think Paul knows we need some power within us to take hold of that love and enjoy it and that it reflects itself in community.

Verse 19: and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Again, Paul wants us to know God's love and yet he say it "surpasses knowledge." It goes beyond just knowing in our head that God loves us. He wants our "measuring cup" to be filled to the brim with God's fullness. (Sometimes God uses us to help fill other's cups!)

Verse 20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...

Paul again acknowledges the source and reminds us that God is able to do so much for us...beyond what we can even imagine. Sometimes, we think of this verse as a promise of material blessing--and that can happen. But think about His immeasurable grace and strength to get through a difficulty. Have you ever said, "I don't know how she does it" when observing someone going through suffering? It's because God gives more grace than we can imagine when the time is right for it.

Verse 21: to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen!

Paul ties up the bookends the prayer with another acknowledgement of the greatness of God and a release of glory to God alone.

Now, is that the kind of prayer you would like prayed over you? That you might like to start praying over your friends and family?