Here, he prays, that God will "strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being... And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:14-9). This prayer is significant because Paul understands the power of God in each individual believer. The inner man is something that will live forever and this should be very important even in the aspects of daily life. This kind of inner man can only be strengthened through the Holy Spirit and Paul know this so he prays that believers know love that surpasses understanding. He knows that this love will allow believers to endure life's difficult times just as it helps him. Paul also prays that believers experience the depth of God's love, as this is what transforms lives. The strength believers gain from one another and the strength they receive from God cannot be matched by anything on earth and this is why Paul finds a need to pray for these things.
5. Paul's relationship with God looked like an intimate relationship between very best friends that share everything. Paul looked to God for comfort many times because God did indeed provide comfort. In II Corinthians, Paul begins with praising God for his comfort in times of trouble. Paul gives God everything he has and loves God unconditionally. Paul takes everything to God and is open to his answer. He is a true servant and yet he is also a strong man in that he helps other believers find Christ. Paul honored God and respected his word. This honor is reflected in his missions. His relationship with God also looked...
It is a living example of honor, respect, love, and faith. His relationship with God illustrates exactly how believers should behave in good times and bad. Believers should always partake of communion with God and they should always communicate with him; they should also let this relationship shine to others so that it will influence others. A relationship with God should be open and it should never be something that believers fear or dread. Paul's relationship with God fits this description and serves as an excellent example.
6. God answered Paul's prayers by being God. Believers can never assume to know what God knows and they can never know what God is thinking or what God's will can ever be. Knowing that, the best believers can do is pray for God's will and guidance. An example of this can be seen in II Corinthians when Pal asks God to remove the thorn in his side. God did not answer the way Paul might have liked but this does not mean that the prayer went unanswered. Believers should always remember that God's plan involves so much more than immediate circumstances. God answered many of Paul's prayers in ways that were unlikely answers. Paul did reach Rome but he arrived in chains. It is silly to think that God's will and mind can be known and when believers pray, they need to keep this in mind. God answers in his own way and He is never wrong. Paul knew this and he never doubted it. He was wise enough to understand that God knew what was best for him and he did not complain when it appeared that God did not respond to his prayers. He let God be God.
Works Cited
Bible Online. Site Accessed August…
