Paul Emphasis on Prayer (Eph. 1:15-16)
Ephesians 1:15-23 emphasize the importance of prayer on the life of a Christian. As in most of Paul’s epistles he tells his readers, whether an individual or a congregation that he is constantly praying for them. He says in Eph. 1:16, “[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention you in my prayers.”
We see Paul’s thankfulness exhibited in prayer. It is a thankfful prayer and a public commendation of and to the people of God. Paul is thankful for 2 important characteristics of God’s people; faith in the Lord jesus and love for the saints.
God’s people are to love one another. Jesus said. “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another.” (John 13:25) I remembers song we sang in chorus in college. It went this way, “They will know that we are Christians by our love.”
In these verse we see a thankful, praying apostle. Paul said that we are only to imitate him as he imitated Christ. I would say that this is a time when we can use Paul as our example in living out or faith.
-Larry Miles, April 23, 2015