Apostolic Prayers

NOTES ON EPHESIANS 1:17-19 – CHRYSTAL F. April 16, 2009

Prayer for revelation of Jesus’ beauty that we might walk in our calling
and destiny by God’s power
17 That the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the
eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may KNOW (experience) what is the hope of His calling
(assurance/clarity of God’s call for our life) what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (our
destiny as Jesus’ inheritance), 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power… (Eph. 1:17-19)

I.THAT THE FATHER OF GLORY, MAY GIVE TO YOU:

A. The Father is the originator of all splendor, brightness and majesty. This God, who was the
covenant-keeping God throughout the Old Testament is not only the source of majesty and grace,
but He, Himself, sits enthroned in the highest, most exalted state. All glory comes from Him (the
glory to which we are changed by His Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18)), and it is His Son in us that is our
hope of glory (Col. 1:27).

B. We approach with confidence knowing that it is the heart, will and desire of God to give to us
these things for which we pray.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without
reproach, and it will be given to him. Js. 1:5

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His
will, He hears us. 1Jn. 5:14

II.THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM:

A. With the wisdom of God comes the strength to speak boldly on behalf of the oppressed, to
perform works of justice, which is close to the heart of God. Jesus tells us in Matthew 23:23 that
justice is more important (weightier) to God than even tithing. It takes the wisdom of God to do
justly and to covenant with God to look after the orphans and widows (Jas. 1:27).

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the
king, for they saw that the wisdom of God [was] in him to administer justice. 1Ki. 3:28

B. We grow in wisdom and knowledge when we manage our time wisely. The commitment to
spend time in prayer and in the Word is one that we cannot take lightly, but must schedule like
any other appointment. It is only in spending time with Him that we gain His wisdom and hear
His heart for our lives. Furthermore, if we do not proactively schedule out our time, others will
do so for us.

12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psa. 90:12

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Apostolic Prayers
NOTES ON EPHESIANS 1:17-19 – CHRYSTAL F. April 16, 2009

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth [come] knowledge and understanding;
Pro. 2:6

C. The Spirit of wisdom is one of the seven spirits of God before the throne in Revelation 1:4.
Jesus operated in the full power of the Spirit during His ministry on earth. The wisdom of the
Lord is linked with divine understanding, even as the sons of Issachar knew and understood the
times (1 Chr. 12:32). It’s only through the Spirit of God that we have the grace to recognize and
understand the season in which we live as we long and prepare for the day of the Lord.

2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; Isa. 11:2

III.AND REVELATION

A. The revelation of Jesus gives us hope to press on to His calling. Without a vision, we fall victim
to despair. It takes the revelation of the Lord to spark faith in our hearts to align our lives
according to His word. We cannot establish a house of prayer to the nations without first having
a vision of Jesus Christ, crucified and then resurrected and seated at the right hand of the Father.
When we put the first commandment at first place in our lives, we see Jesus for who He is and
He fascinates our hearts.

18 Where [there is] no revelation [vision], the people cast off restraint [perish]; But happy [is]
he who keeps the law. Pro. 29:18

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not
according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught [it], but [it] [came]
through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Gal. 1:11-12

B. With a revelation of Jesus comes the grace to be steadfast. Jesus prophesied of the terror coming
so that we might have peace in Him because He overcame the world (Jn. 16:33). Visions,
dreams, and words of prophecy are given so that those who love the Lord may be at rest,
knowing that nothing that comes to us is a surprise to Him.

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the
grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1Pe. 1:13

3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who
speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 1Cor. 14:3-4

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Apostolic Prayers
NOTES ON EPHESIANS 1:17-19 – CHRYSTAL F. April 16, 2009

IV.HOPE OF HIS CALLING

A. Hope that comes from God does not shame or disgrace (kataischynō) us, even though sometimes
we are disappointed when He doesn’t do things as we expect. Disgrace reflects back on the
character of the person; one who is disgraced cannot separate himself or herself from the specific
circumstance. Disappointment cuts, but disgrace brands. Hope that springs out of trial for the
cause of Christ does not disgrace us because God's hope is not deceptive, and because He
overwhelms us with His love through the Holy Spirit to take the sting out of any disappointment
we may face.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5
Now hope does not disappoint [kataischynō], because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom. 5:3-5

B. We bring pleasure to the heart of God when we put our hope in Him. It draws His attention to us
and overwhelms His emotions when we affirm our trust in Him in spite of situations. He
abounds in mercy, even when we do not deserve it, and we can rest in this confidence.

18 Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy,
19 To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Psa. 33:18-19

11 The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Psa. 147:11

C. We place our confidence and our trust in His calling because we know that His divine purpose
for our lives is higher than our ways and thoughts. There is confidence and a promise of good
things that comes from seeking the will of God for our lives. It is a calling to eternal life with
Jesus when He returns and establishes His kingdom on the earth. When we pray, “Your kingdom
come” we are setting our hearts to the day we live with Him forever. We have the honor of
calling for Him to return to us (through night and day prayer) because He first called us out of
darkness into marvelous light (1 Pe. 2:9).

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. Rom. 8:28

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and
have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1Ti. 6:12

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Apostolic Prayers
NOTES ON EPHESIANS 1:17-19 – CHRYSTAL F. April 16, 2009

V.HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS

A. The Bride can only come into security in her status as the beloved of God when she realizes that
she is literally the promised inheritance that the Father pledged to the Son from the beginning of
time. The awareness that the Father will not give His Son a second-best inheritance not only
awakens the Bride to an awareness of intimacy with Him, but it also challenges her to press on
beyond any besetting sin and live a life of passion and abandon to Him. In this posture, she is
blessed, knowing she belongs to Him, and He will not forsake her.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give [You] The nations [for] Your inheritance, And the ends of the
earth [for] Your possession. Psa. 2:8

12 Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own
inheritance. Psa. 33:12

14 For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance. Psa. 94:14

VI.HIS POWER TOWARDS US

A. The Lord is not lacking in power and authority. We limit His actions on our behalf by our
unbelief because He has chosen to restrict Himself to the boundaries of free will; however, He is
ever seeking to show Himself mighty on behalf of those who dare to trust in Him (2 Chr. 16:9).

16 But indeed for this [purpose] I have raised you up, that I may show My power [in] you, and
that My name may be declared in all the earth. Exd 9:16

29 Yet they [are] Your people and Your inheritance, whom You brought out by Your mighty
power and by Your outstretched arm. Deu. 9:29

11 Yours, O LORD, [is] the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty;
For all [that is] in heaven and in earth [is Yours]; Yours [is] the kingdom, O LORD, And You
are exalted as head over all. 1Chr. 29:11

11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power [belongs] to God. Psa. 62:11

5 Great [is] our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding [is] infinite. Psa. 147:5

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