Paul's Power Prayer
Eyes in your heart — and power from on High!
When Paul heard about the Ephesians' faith and love, he couldn't stop thanking God — and then he prayed for them. What a prayer! He asked God to open the eyes of their HEARTS — so they could truly see the hope they had been called to, the riches of their inheritance, and the incredible power of God working for them. What kind of power? The same power that raised Jesus from the dead!
Then Paul announces: Jesus is seated far above EVERY power, every name, every authority — in this age and in the age to come. Ephesus was full of people trusting in dark powers, magic and spirits. But Paul says: every one of those powers bows before the risen Christ. No charm, no fear, no enemy stands above King Jesus.
And this same power — resurrection power — is available to every believer!
This is why
Scripture prays so earnestly and seeks God so seriously: because the power of the living God, the power that conquered death itself, is the inheritance of every child of His.
✨ Memory verse
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)
Tap the words in the right order:
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Type the verse from memory:
🎵 Sing along: Far Above Every Power
❓ Quiz time!
🖍️ Printables
👨👩👧 Parent & teacher guide
Big idea: spiritual perception and resurrection power are available to every believer. The prayer of 1:15-23 is essentially Paul asking God to give the Ephesians a revelation of what they already possess. Scripture's emphasis on prayer and Bible study flows from this: we pray to see clearly what God has done and what He has given.
Note also verse 1:21 — Christ is above "all rule, authority, power and dominion." In Ephesus this was a direct challenge to the spirit world. For children today: any power, fear or influence that claims authority over them is already defeated by King Jesus.
This is the foundation of the victorious Christian life that
Scripture preaches. For the Holy Ghost baptism connection: the power Paul prays for (1:19) anticipates the Pentecostal endowment of power that will come in chapter 5.
Conversation starters: (1) What is something that feels scary or powerful to you? Now remember: Jesus is seated far above it. (2) Why do you think we need God to open the 'eyes of our heart' — why can't we just figure out spiritual things on our own? (3) How should knowing that resurrection power is available to us change how we pray? Pray Paul's actual prayer over each child tonight.