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Eyes Enlightened The Prayers of the Apostle Paul The Most Effectual Prayers of and for the Church Today
by Steve
Santini 2001 The ways in which the Father
brings us to understand the cross of Christ are as varied as the stars and as
numerous as the grains of sand by the seashore. As we learn Christ each part
becomes more fitly joined together in his body so that in full sharing we
grow together unto the holy temple in the Lord. Even so, there are some ways
of growth that are common to all. One is prayer. In light of this I would like to
share something from personal growth that has helped us experience the
mystery of godliness described by the apostle Paul. After my wife and I were
placed in a situation that motivated us towards an intense desire to know in
1995, we reasoned that there was a purpose for the inspiration and that we
were not to go back to just holding to Christian basics. We spent a time
searching ministries and messages. I walked and prayed and asked, "What is
your will for our lives?" Eventually I came across a book on prayer, which
suggested personalizing biblical prayers by changing pronouns and nouns. For
example it suggested changing: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 to: Lord you are Steve's shepherd, I shall not want. About the same time I was
directed to a minister who was beginning what turned out to be a twelve-month
series on the apostle Paul's gospel. I had removed my minister's hat years
before, so I just listened. During this time I realized that Paul had prayed
timeless prayers for us centuries ago that are as powerful today as they were
about two millenniums ago. During our prayers my wife and I began to
occasionally pray for each other by inserting our names in Paul's prayers and
changing the corresponding pronouns. In retrospect I can say that this was a
turning point, however gradual it has seemed, to understanding the Father's
will for our lives. It has not always been easy for us to give up previous
understandings and to accept, without a living apostle Paul to readily answer
questions, that periods of wonder and possible perplexity are a part of the
course. Although there are obstacles to understanding the mystery, I believe
the search is worth it in the scheme of all things. Why? There is a pearl of
great price in and from heaven that is to be laid hold for each calling and
each chosen vessel. We began to
focus on several things. We read and studied what is written by and taught
about the apostle Paul, asking questions as we patiently moved along. We
decided to trust the Holy Spirit to give us understanding and to lead us to
others with understandings. We prayed Paul's prayers of Ephesians
chapters one and three, Philippians chapter one, and Colossians chapter one for
others and each another. For example we changed: That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
that ye may know what is the hope
of his calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the
saints... Ephesians 1:17,18 to: That you, the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give Steve the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Christ: the eyes of my
understanding being enlightened; that I
may know what is the hope of your calling, and what is the riches of the
glory of your inheritance in the saints... These are not prayers for prosperity, health or peace.
They are prayers for knowledge, wisdom and understanding - the three most
valuable commodities from God to man. (Proverbs 3:11-20) Attaining an
understanding of God's will may bring pressure as one is challenged to
discard broken cisterns of unbelief and lifestyle for the fountain of living
waters. I would like to be able to promise
prosperity and health for those who seek through the prayers of Paul, yet, in
honesty, I cannot. I can, though, promise what the words themselves promise,
that the faithful eyes of your understanding will be enlightened so that you
may know the hope of His calling and the riches of the glory of the Father�s
inheritance in the saints. And I can say as these things are attained other
aspects of life will fulfillingly flow. Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
II Corinthians 6:17,18 With your desire and
willingness to be formed more deeply by His hands, would you join us in
making it a custom to pray the prayers of the apostle Paul for your growth
and understanding and the growth and understanding of the church so that all
may enter His presence in praise with knowledge, understanding and wisdom? Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better
than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Proverbs
3:13,14 The fear of the LORD is the beginning
of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10: |