Pray First (Eph. 3:12-21)

The prayers of Paul as recorded in his epistles are profound – not simply because of what they include, but also because of what they don’t include. As Pastor Tim Keller notes in his book on prayer: “It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances.” While we surely are invited to come boldly before the throne of grace, in the name of Jesus, with supplication and requests for our God to mercifully and supernaturally intervene, we must humbly recognize that he is infinitely wise and working all things according to his glorious purposes. In this sermon, guest speaker David Hertweck challenges us to not pray first to see change but rather pray first to be changed, to “be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:19).