A Guide to Praying Through the Epistle to the EphesiansShembull

Ephesians 4:1-16

Paul asks the believers to whom he writes to live a life worthy of the calling to which they have been called (Eph 4:1). He is aware that some of them were not living like that.

• Think about your life and in prayer open yourself to God that He show you what you need to change. Record what God is already telling you through 4:2-3.

Paul calls the readers of this epistle the Body of Christ and asks them to strive to preserve unity in the Spirit. Notice how many times the word “one” is mentioned in this passage.

• Ask God to show you how you can build the Body of Christ and unity with other believers.

Yearn for spiritual gifts

Look at all the spiritual gifts Paul lists in 4:11-12 (other lists are found in Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11 and 12:28) and notice what their purpose is.

Give thanks for the gifts you recognize in yourself and in your church.

The Spirit distributes gifts as he wishes, but at the same time prompts us to yearn for them which highlights our role in receiving them (1 Cor 14:1). Tell God what spiritual gifts you long for (or would like to long for) and talk to him about how you can serve in building his church - the Body of Christ.