Knowing God More Deeply: Paul’s Prayer in Ephesians 1

Episode Summary

In this message, Jess unpacks Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesians 1:15–23. She explores why Paul gives thanks for the believers’ faith and love, and why he cannot stop praying for them. Jess highlights the heart of Paul’s prayer—that we would know God more deeply, grasp the hope we have in Him, embrace the riches of His inheritance, and walk in the power that raised Christ from the dead. Along the way, she shares personal stories, theological insights, and practical encouragement for prayer, reminding us that knowing God is not just about head knowledge but relationship, revelation, and transformation.

Podcast Notes (Time-Coded)

00:00:00 – 00:00:22
Jess opens with excitement about the passage, beginning from verse 15 of Ephesians 1. She invites listeners to open their Bibles or follow on screen, then begins with prayer—asking that God’s Word would reveal who He is and who we are in Him.

00:00:22 – 00:01:47
Jess prays that God’s words would shape and mould us, and reminds us that verses 3–14 (covered last week) were originally one long sentence in Greek—full of rich truths that can feel overwhelming, like a child’s breathless story about a birthday party. She encourages the church to keep digging into the richness of Scripture.

00:01:47 – 00:05:25
Paul’s thanksgiving: ever since hearing of the believers’ faith in Jesus and love for others, he has not stopped giving thanks or praying for them. Jess introduces the theme of prayer and acknowledges that many Christians feel differently about prayer—some with joy, some with guilt, others with confusion.

00:05:25 – 00:11:16
Jess explains that Paul’s motivation to pray comes from recognising God’s blessings already given. Paul prays not out of guilt but gratitude and expectation. She emphasises that Paul’s focus is on knowing God more deeply—not just knowing about Him, but truly knowing Him in relationship.

00:11:16 – 00:15:29
Illustrations: Jess shares a story about overhearing people talk about her and Dave at Bible college, noting the difference between knowing about someone and truly knowing them. She compares this to our relationship with God—reminding listeners that we can know Scripture but still miss relationship with Him.

00:15:29 – 00:17:13
Jess reflects on marriage as an analogy: even after 22 years with Dave, there are still surprises. If that’s true in human relationships, how much more with God? Paul prays that we would grow in wisdom and revelation to continually know God better.

00:17:13 – 00:21:18
Paul’s prayer continues: that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened to know (1) the hope of our calling, (2) the riches of God’s inheritance, and (3) His incomparably great power for believers. Jess contrasts hopelessness in the world with the abundant hope in Christ.

00:21:18 – 00:24:48
Story: Jess shares a powerful moment after childbirth when she felt utterly powerless, unable to reach her baby or call for help. She relates this to times we all feel powerless, reminding us that in Christ we are not powerless—God gives us spiritual authority and strength.

00:24:48 – 00:27:13
Jess highlights the resurrection power of God—the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to the church. This power is not for small requests alone but for partnering with God’s mission of restoration and blessing in the world.

00:27:13 – 00:30:16
She challenges listeners to pray bold prayers of faith, not just for ourselves but for others, and to see ourselves as the church called to bring God’s hope and power into the world. Jess closes by inviting the church to pray Paul’s prayer over one another and then respond in worship.