Paul Intercedes for Believers

Read: Ephesians 3:14–21
Listen: Ephesians 3

This year in Beyond the Weekend, journey through different biblical models of prayer—one each month. May’s focus is Intercession.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Ephesians 3:16–17a

Paul sits in prison when he writes to the believers in Ephesus. He can’t visit or teach them in person. So he does what he can—he kneels before the Father (Ephesians 3:14). In a culture where standing was the normal posture for prayer, kneeling signals deep urgency and humility. Paul doesn’t pray for their comfort or safety. He prays for something deeper—that they would be strengthened in their inner life, that Christ would be at home in the deepest part of them, and that they would grasp just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Jesus truly is. This is a pastoral prayer for people he loves.

Just as Paul interceded for the Ephesians, we too can pray beyond the surface needs of those around us. It’s easy to pray for someone’s health, job, or hard situation—and those prayers matter. But intercession can go deeper. We can pray for a friend’s faith to grow strong. We can ask God to help someone know they are truly loved by God. We can pray that Christ would be more and more at home in the hearts of the people we care about. This is the kind of prayer that can change people from the inside out, even when their external situations don’t change.

PRAYER DAY #12: This week, we have followed Hannah through her pain and watched her turn toward God in honest, courageous prayer. Today, Paul models something complementary—praying for others. Think of someone in your life who is walking through a difficult season. Rather than praying only for their circumstances to change, go deeper. Ask God to strengthen them in their inner life, that they would know just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Jesus truly is (Ephesians 3:18). Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do for someone we love is to bring them before God in prayer.