Reflecting on Truth #40
Q: What should we pray?
A: The whole Word of God directs and inspires us in what we should pray, including the prayer Jesus himself taught us.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14–21)
Why does this matter?
As discussed in last week’s question and answer, we ought to approach prayer with the proper attitude and posture. We tend to be transactional, thinking that if we do good things, then God should grant our requests. In fact, when we come before God, we tend to ask God for things, for material possessions, good health, high academic achievements, and career progression. Not that these things are bad in themselves, but what we request of God reflects our priorities in life.
Look at what Paul asks for in his intercession for the believers in Ephesus. He asks that God grant them strength with power through the Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ dwells in their hearts through faith, that the believers be rooted and grounded in love and have strength to comprehend the love of Christ, and that the saints be filled with all the fullness of God. This is an example in Scripture of what we can be asking for from our gracious God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Whatever we need to live a life of godliness and holiness, our God is able and willing to grant these things to us, and we are called to ask these things of our loving Father.
What does this mean for us?
Yes, we need a means to live in this world. We should work hard, do well in school, make a living, exercise, strive to be in good health, etc. However, there is so much more to the Christian life than our health, wealth, and material possessions. In fact, sometimes our God takes away health, wealth, and material possessions for our good, to train and discipline us in righteousness. For this reason, we are called to pray for sanctification, for the gospel to go forth into the world, for laborers to be sent out into the harvest field, for the fruit of the Spirit, for contentment no matter our situation or lot in life, that God be glorified throughout the earth and that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
There is so much that we can ask of our loving Father, who is able and willing to bless His children, to confirm them to the image of His Son. Do we need strength to push on? Ask God. What about peace and comfort during trials? Ask God. Lacking patience and self-control? Ask God. Need wisdom and guidance? Ask God.
Still not sure what to pray? Open the Scriptures. The Word of God directs us in what we should pray. Look to the Psalms, read the epistles, flip to the gospel narratives. The Word of God is our guide.
Let the Word of God direct us in what we should pray, for our Father is able and willing to give good gifts to those who ask Him.