Sermon Summary


 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you
to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the
saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses
knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Divine power is in us by His Spirit. 20 Now to him
who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us 21
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians
3:14-21 (ESV)

Prayer :

1) Changes us, 2) Causes God to act, 3) Keeps us from grumbling and complaining, and 4) Keeps us
from gossiping.

  1. Prayer is Responsive – physical posture matters; our heart will often follow physical actions
    “14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…” Eph. 3:14 (ESV)
  2. Prayer is Relational – God created a family with a father – not a business to sell goods and services
    “ 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts” Eph. 3:17
  3. Prayer Strengthens – Jesus ministered in the power of the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1,14; Acts 10:38
    “16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his
    Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” Ephesians 3:16–17a (ESV)
  4. Prayer Roots You – grounded in love is and filled with the fullness of God is our ultimate purpose
    “… being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the
    breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that
    you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Divine power is in us by His Spirit.” Ephesians 3:17b–19 (ESV)
  5. Pray Expectantly – believe that God will answer your prayers that align with His will
    “ 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power
    at work within to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and
    ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)

Discussions Questions

  1. When you have some exciting, or dreadful, news to share – something that you can’t help but tell
    someone (hopefully, not gossip) – who do you call, text, or share with first?
    When you have a need, is God first in your mind to share and seek answers, direction, or comfort?
  2. In what ways have you experienced prayer moving God to take action? Have you had a physical response
    when praying? What was that like?
  3. What challenges have you heard to the notion of ‘praying God’s will into existence?’ How would you
    answer those challenges?
  4. What aspects of prayer being a relationship-oriented activity make the most sense to you?
    Application Questions
  5. We are urged to pray with expectation in Ephesians 3:20 Paul writes that God is able to do “…far more
    abundantly than all that we ask or think…”
    How do you pray with expectation, listening for His response (“Yes,” or “No,” or “Wait”)?