Powerful Prayers Part 1 • Life Changing Prayer
Teaching Notes
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and revelation so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above any ruler, authority, power, or leader—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Ephesians 1:15–23
Question:
If God answered every prayer you prayed recently, what would actually change in your life?
Think about it:
Maybe nothing would change because you haven’t been praying.
Maybe only your circumstances would change—better grades, a promotion, more money, fewer problems, easier days.
Maybe even funny little conveniences: the best parking spots, green lights, the barking dog disappearing, six-pack abs overnight, or your spouse joyfully doing laundry!
These aren’t bad things—but if our prayers only focus on externals, comfort, or convenience, it reveals something about our spiritual maturity.
Prayer always exposes our values, our priorities, and the condition of our hearts.
So ask yourself:
Would anyone come to faith because of my prayers?
Would I become more like Jesus?
Would I grow in freedom from sin, anxiety, lust, anger, or pride?
Would my marriage or relationships be healthier?
Would I love God and people more deeply?
Or would I just have more stuff?
Why Paul’s Prayer Matters
In this passage, Paul lets us see behind the curtain of his prayer life. He shows us what truly matters in prayer—his priorities, his requests, and his vision for the church.
If we can grasp his model, we can learn how to pray life-changing prayers.
The most important lesson we can learn is how to pray.
E.M. Bounds
Point 1: Prayer Is About Consistent Conversation, Not Just Crisis Management
Paul says:
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly…”
(v.16)
Paul’s Model:
Consistent – “I have not stopped…”
Grateful – “thanking God for you”
Relational – ongoing conversation, not just emergencies
The truth is, many of us treat God like that friend who only calls in a crisis. Yes, God welcomes us in our emergencies, but He desires a relationship, not just a 911 hotline.
Prayer is not just a transaction (asking for stuff), but a transformation (becoming more like Christ).
I pray because the need flows out of me all the time—waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God—it changes me.
C.S. Lewis
Consistency Matters because Paul believed God was active, involved, and powerful. We aren’t praying to a distant deity but to the Lord of the universe who can change everything.
The Power of Gratitude
I have not stopped thanking God for you…
(v.16)
Paul doesn’t just pray constantly—he prays gratefully. Starting with thanksgiving changes how we see everything else. It pulls our focus beyond the immediate and helps us read our circumstances in light of a faithful God.
Gratitude right-sizes problems. We see them in light of a God who cares and provides, not just in the shadow of pain.
Gratitude is a lens. It’s the telescope that shrinks problems and the microscope that magnifies blessings—transforming life from a burden into a gift.
Gratitude fuels faith. Without it, problems look like immovable mountains; with it, blessings build faith that believes those mountains can move.
Whatever you feed grows. Feed your mind problems, and fear expands; feed it gratitude, and your perspective is shaped by faith and hope. What you feed will eventually consume your vision of the future.
Practical Tip: Try the ABC’s of Gratitude this week—thank God for something beginning with each letter of the alphabet.
Point 2: Prayer Should Focus on Spiritual Growth
Paul prays:
…that God would give you spiritual wisdom and revelation so that you might grow in your knowledge of Him…
(v.17–18)
What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us. As God is exalted to the proper place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved at once.
A.W. Tozer
Paul isn’t praying for easier circumstances but for deeper knowledge of God—because when Christ is at the center, the rest of life falls into place.
Without this, our lives are like an orchestra with one instrument out of tune—everything sounds wrong. But when God is exalted, the music of our lives becomes harmonious.
Point 3: Prayer Anchors Us in Hope and Power
Paul continues:
“…that you may know the hope to which He has called you… and the incredible greatness of His power…”
(v.18–19)
Two Focuses of Paul’s Prayer:
Hope that transforms our future
Hope stands against fear, despair, and cynicism.
Even in dry seasons, hope reminds us God is still working—sometimes not through us, but in us.
Power that conquers all opposition
The same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us.
That power is above every authority, ruler, and force in both this world and the next.
This means: No situation is hopeless, no enemy is stronger, no darkness is greater than Christ.
Application
Paul’s prayer teaches us to:
Pray consistently – Build relationship, not just make requests.
Pray for spiritual growth – Seek to become more like Christ.
Pray with hope and power – Remember who is on our side.
Challenge: This week, model your prayers after Paul’s.
Start with gratitude.
Ask for deeper understanding of God.
Anchor your requests in the hope and power of the risen Christ.
Setlist
WFC Lenexa + WFC Anywhere
I Believe- Phil Wickham
Jesus You Alone- Highlands Worship
WFC Speedway
What A Beautiful Name- Hillsong
Thank You Jesus For The Blood- Charity Gayle
Be sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday’s set!
