Sometimes when we've had a particularly grueling or heartbreaking week,

it's hard to show up at church and worship and praise God.

So how do we do it?

Today on Truth For Life Weekend, Alistair Begg answers that question.

He's teaching from Ephesians chapter 3, we're focusing on verse 14.

What I'd like to do in this time that I have with you is essentially just join Paul

as he bursts forth into praise in the doxology that we find there in verses 20 and 21.

It's important to set that in something of a context and to acknowledge the fact that

we get an insight into the heart of a pastor in this case, into the pastoral heart of Paul,

and more even than in his preaching, in his praying, we find out what is really the burden

of his life in relationship to those who are under his care.

And there is an insight into a person when we pray with them or when we are privileged

to hear them pray.

As Spurgeon used to say to his students as they went out into pastoral ministry, let

somebody else preach for you, but do not allow somebody else to do your pastoral prayer.

Because it is as you pray for your people week by week and day by day that they actually

begin to get a sense of your heart and your burden for them.

And certainly that is true when we consider the prayers of Paul as he prays for these

various churches.

And here in this second prayer that we find in Ephesians, the earlier one I can leave

to you as homework.

And what is it that he prays?

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