Paul’s Prayer For Believers, Which Should Be The Prayer of All Believers today:

The Greek word “didmi” (G1325), translated most frequently “give,” occurs in every Pauline epistle except Philippians and Philemon. Our last study examined the first time “didmi” occurs in his first four letters, i.e., Romans 4:2020 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

; 1 Corinthians 1:44 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

; 2nd Corinthians 1:21 - 22 and Galatians 1:4 - 54 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

. Today we examine the first time it occurs in Ephesians, where it is translated “may give” in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give (didmi) unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:” Ephesians 1:15 - 1715 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

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All true believers should follow this prayer pattern since Paul. Many today repeat the so-called “Lord’s Prayer,” Matthew 6:9 - 139 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

in spite of the fact Christ gave it to His Jewish followers as part of His Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5:11 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

through Matthew 7:2727 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

. The Jews in Jerusalem who truly believed Jesus Christ was their Messiah used this prayer as a pattern at the feast of Pentecost, as recorded in the first chapters of Acts. At that time, the prophetic calendar placed the 7-year Great Tribulation next. Israel’s very existence would depend on God’s provision for them, however that Nation was temporarily set aside when their leaders rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah. But the prayer in Matthew is a pattern for the true believers of Israel in the future when they do go through the 7-year Tribulation., Romans 11:1 - 261 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.

4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.

5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:

10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

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After setting aside Israel as a Nation, God called the Apostle Paul to deliver to believers, both individual Jews and Gentiles, the Gospel of the Grace of God, a mystery (secret) revealed to Paul, Acts 20:2525 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

; Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

; 1 Corinthians 15:1 - 41 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

; Ephesians 3:1 - 91 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

. Believers today exist as members of Christ’s Body. We will not go through the Tribulation but instead will be raptured to Heaven prior to that event; 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1813 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

; 1 Thessalonians 5:1 - 41 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

. Thus, Paul’s prayer should be a pattern for all believers today; “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, “may give” “didmi” unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:17 - 2017 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

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The verses leading up to verse 17 define a good part of what the “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” consists:

• It was by inspiration/direction of the Holy Spirit that Paul was an Apostle (official delegate/commissioner/messenger) of Jesus Christ by the Will (determination/choice/decree/desire) of God, to the saints (sacred, physically pure, morally blameless) which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful (all believers since then) in Christ Jesus: Grace (gift, favor, benefit) be to you, and peace (quietness, rest), from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:1 - 21 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

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• God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has blessed believers with all Spiritual (non-carnal, i.e., of the celestial spheres/otherworldly) in the heavenlies (the abode of God/Divine) in (a fixed position in) Christ, Ephesians 1:33 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

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• According as (even as) He (God) has chosen (chose out) us (believers) in (a fixed position in) Him (Christ) before He (Christ) created the world that we (believers) will be holy (blameless/sacred/consecrated) and without blame before (in front of, in the sight of) Him in (a fixed position in) love, Ephesians 1:44 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

. (God in the Person of Christ did this for believers because of His Love because there is nothing any person can do to earn this.)

• (God) having predestinated (predetermined/fore ordained) us (believers) unto (indicating the point reached or entered) the adoption of children (the placing as a son/sonship in respect to God) by (after/always/among/by reason of) Jesus Christ to (indicating the point reached or entered) Himself (God) according to the good pleasure (delight/wish/pleasure) of His (God’s) Will (determination/decree/desire/pleasure), Ephesians 1:55 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

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• To (indicating the point reached or entered) praise (laudation) of the glory (dignity/honor) of His (God’s) grace (benefit/favor/gift) wherein (a fixed position in) He (God) hath made us accepted (highly favored/with special honor”) in (a fixed position in) the Beloved (Love), Ephesians 1:66 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

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• In (a fixed position in) Whom (Christ) we have (have in possession, hold) redemption (ransom in full, deliverance, salvation) through His (Christ’s) blood, (that Christ shed for mankind, i.e., His death) the forgiveness (freedom, pardon, deliverance) of sins, according (as concerning) to the riches (wealth, abundance) of His (Christ’s) grace; Ephesians 1:77 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

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• Wherein He (God) hath abounded (be in excess, excelled) toward (indicating the point reached or entered) us (believers) in (a fixed position in) wisdom (spiritual wisdom) and prudence, Ephesians 1:88 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

. (The word translated prudence here means “intellectual or moral insight” and is found only here and in Luke 1:1717 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

where it is translated wisdom);

• Having made known (declared, giving understanding) unto us (believers) the mystery (secret hidden in the past) of His (God’s) will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed (placed before, exhibited, set forth) in (a fixed position in) Himself (God): Ephesians 1:99 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

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• That in the dispensation of the fulness (completion) of times (at some point time as we know it will be no more) He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: Ephesians 1:1010 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

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• In Whom (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, (these 5 words are translated from one Greek word found only here in the NT, which can mean “to allot, to assign”) being (having been) predestinated (the two words “being predestinated” are translated from one Greek word meaning “to limit in advance, predetermined, determine before, ordained”) according to the purpose (the 3 words “to the purpose” are translated from one Greek word meaning “a setting forth, figuratively proposal, intention, shew”) of Him (Christ) Who worketh (the four words “of Him Who worketh” are translated from one Greek word meaning “to be active, efficient, be mighty in, shew forth self”) all things after the counsel (volition, i.e., advise, purpose) of His (Christ’s) own will (determination, choice, degree, desire):” Ephesians 1:1111 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

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• “That (to the end that) we (believers) should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted (the three words “who first trusted” are translated from one Greek word found only here in the NT meaning “to hope in advance of other confirmation, first trust.” According to Bullinger the “we who first trusted” refers to the saved members of the Pentecostal church, which was closed by the pronouncement of Acts 28:25 - 2825 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

) in (a fixed position in) Christ.” Ephesians 1:1212 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

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• In whom ye also trusted after (referring to those who have believed the Gospel revealed to Paul and therefore have been Members of Christ’s Body for the last 2000 years) that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom (The Lord Jesus Christ) also after that ye believed, ye were sealed (stamped with a signet or private mark for security or preservation) with that holy Spirit (The Gift not the Giver) of promise, Which is the earnest (pledge, purchase money, property given in advance as security) of our inheritance (possession) until the redemption (ransom in full, deliverance) of the purchased possession (salvation obtained or realized), unto the praise of His glory (dignity, honor, praise).” Ephesians 1:13 - 1413 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

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• Wherefore (on account of this) I (Paul) also, after I (having) heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; Ephesians 1:15 - 1615 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

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Paul’s prayer recorded in Ephesians 1:17 - 2317 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

should be what all true believers offer up today.