What Does Your Prayer List Look Like?

(Ephesians 1:16-19 MESSAGE)

What does your prayer list look like?

Usually my prayers are embedded in my journaling, but lately I’ve got an actual list going in the back of my journal.

Prayers for others . . and for me.

Small asks, big asks, and one out-of-the-box ask.

My small group is reading Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Honestly, I wasn’t all that excited about that choice because Paul intimidates me.

He’s just so intense.

Like he’s always judging me . . . and I’m always falling short.

But maybe I’ve misjudged him.

Because, as it turns out, we actually have something in common.

Paul has a prayer list too.

His own list of asks.

Embedded in his letter to the Ephesians.

Every time I pray I think of you and give thanks. 

But I do more than thank. 

I ask.

As if to say, “Look, Ephesians, do not neglect prayers of thanks. In fact, start off with them. But then ask for what you need. And for what others need. Small asks, big asks, even out-of-the-box asks. Thank. Ask. And then thank again.”

And with that, Paul begins his list.

For the Ephesians.

And for us.

Super great list, for sure, but his last ask?

Oh my!

Just . . . oh, my!

I ask the God of glory

to give you insight

so that you can grasp 

the utter extravagance of his work 

in us who trust him.

Perhaps if I hadn’t dived into the Greek word Paul chooses for work, I might be a little less oh my!, but I did dive in.

And, oh my!

I know. 

I hear you.

Cindy, please get to the point.

Okay, so here it is.

The Greek word Paul chooses for work is enérgeia.

Enérgeia is the root of the English word for energy.

Maybe you saw that coming. 

But what you may not have seen coming is the definition of enérgeia.

God’s energy 

which transitions the believer from point to point in His plan 

accomplishing His definition of progress

God’s purposes playing out in our life’s journey.

Working in situations to move us to the next point.

To the next revelation of who He is.

Which has me reflecting on my own journey.

And what I’ve learned about God, and me, on each leg.

Some of the legs felt more winding, more arduous, or more lengthy than what was comfortable.

Or the pace felt much too slow, or way too fast.

Sometimes God’s path, pace, and plans felt just plain mysterious.

And a little confusing.

But I love the last part of enérgeia’s meaning.

The part about how, on the journey, God is accomplishing His definition of progress.

Not mine.

I picture Paul on his journey.

Moving from point to point.

Physically and spiritually.

Thanking.

And asking.

Glancing back over his prayer list, though, I realize I have skipped over what is possibly his most important ask of all.

I ask God to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally.

Knowing him personally . . .

Recognizing His enérgeia working in and around us.

Thanking Him. 

And asking for what we need, what we think we need, and for what someone else needs.

Small asks, big asks, even out-of-the-box asks.

What does your prayer list look like?

See you in a couple weeks.

Love,