‘For this reason, ever since I
heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I
have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I
keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better’.
(Eph. 1:15-17)
‘… so that you may know him
better.’
Paul is thanking God because
these Ephesian believers have come to know God (v.16). But he knows that it is
vital for new and long-standing Christians that they keep growing in knowledge
of God; alternatively there is a very real danger that that we stagnate, become
listless, cynical and comfortable; all relationships can suffer from this and
the answer is a dedication to exploring the person.
‘Knowledge’ (epignōsis) means to have accurate and experiential knowledge.
We can ‘know’ Niagara Falls from films and pictures’, but we will ‘know’ it if
we dived into it’s waters! We will know our girlfriend on a first date, but we
will know her after 40 years of marriage!
Knowing
God is our most important prayer and occupation.
Knowledge
of God is vital for the life of faith and as we seek to raise such huge funds
for our building project together. God is Almighty, He is limitless, He is
loving to His children; those who know Him are released to be generous.
I love
the way that King James Version says,
‘The
people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.’ (Dan. 11:32)
It was
true of Daniel, it will be true of us and all who seek the Spirit’s grace to
know Him.
You
may want to pray something like this,
“Father,
I pray for myself and my brothers and sisters that you would give us wisdom and
revelation through the Holy Spirit so that we may know you better, and so live
worshipfully, faithfully and generously. Amen.”
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