"The Knowledge Of God" Series

Christian, we spend a great deal of time closely examining Paul’s doctrine; debating the finer points and talking about how we should be living according to the truth of them.

And of course I agree and consistently teach that Paul’s aim was to magnify Christ and to point us to Him, and it is Christ we need to study and learn to know personally, and it is Christ who is our ultimate example in all things.

But we could learn some things by looking at the example of the Apostle Paul too.

When was the last time you prayed for the spiritual growth and well-being of another Christian? Oh, you may have prayed for your child. You may pray often for your child. Your child may give you very frequent cause to run to your room and fall on your knees in prayer. And I hope you pray for your spouse. I believe there is a great deal of spiritual power in the prayer of a husband for his wife and visa versa.

But I wonder how many Christians, even among pastors of congregations of people, intercede for other believers ~ for believers everywhere ~ and pray, not for things, not for health, not for help in specific, known circumstances, ... but just that the Holy Spirit would give them wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the Father of glory.

Since I’ve been studying this great epistle for this series, I have been moved to pray these things for you. On my morning walks I like to run your faces past my mind’s eye and pray for you by name. And if I know of any particular, present need, I mention that. But some things I can pray for each and every one and never have to wonder whether I am praying for a legitimate need or not. I can pray that the Lord will enlighten the eyes of your heart, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe; and be confident that I am praying aright. Because I’m praying the scriptures for you. Can’t go wrong there!

I can pray that the Lord will give you an ever greater hunger for His word, and that He will use your study to draw you ever closer to Himself, and that as you grow in the grace and knowledge of Him you will be used of Him to illumine the world around you.

These and many other things I can pray for you from the scriptures, and I hope that you will pray the same for me. I don’t care if you pray that the Lord will give me physical comfort. I don’t care if you pray that the Lord will meet my financial needs or keep me safe from harm or illness.

But I will be blessed beyond measure, if you will pray that the Lord give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

You see believers, this is a great and wonderful privilege we have; to pray this way for one another. Because no one outside of Christ can pray this. When we pray this way, we’re asking God to give us and give our fellow believers something that is only available to us who have the Holy Spirit of God.

Proverbs 9:10 declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”