Let's get into the Word. Again, really looking forward to what the Lord has for us today.

We're going to finish Ephesians chapter 1. On Sunday mornings, we're going through.

Ephesians having completed Galatians, and we're going through chapter by chapter and verse by verse.

And so our text today will be verses 15 through 23 so if you're not already there if you

could turn there and if you're able I'll ask you to stand if not that's alright but you can follow

along as I read beginning in verse 15 the apostle Paul is writing and by the Holy Spirit says for this reason ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our

Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be

enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his

glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great

power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

far above all rule and authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is invoked not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to behead over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills

everything in every way. Wow. Why don't we pray, if you would join with me.

Loving Heavenly Father, we are just in awe of you, your goodness, your grace, your mercy,

your love, your kindness to us.

Lord, we are keenly aware that you see every heart here in this church today.

And you know the need of every heart of everyone that is here. And so Lord, we ask you in our time together in your word to

minister to that need, to speak into our lives. And as the Apostle Paul prayed for the

Ephesians, would you, Lord, at this time, open the eyes of our understanding.

Give us understanding, Lord. We pray. In Jesus' name, amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So I've titled today's teaching simply, why pray?

Here at the end of chapter one, the apostle Paul has turned a corner of sorts, going from

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