Applying the Word of God to your life: How to Pray for Growth in Christ
As I was reading the bible, I was directed towards the book of Ephesians one night. However, I don’t remember what events lead to that but I do remember being enlightened and writing down all these notes; soaking in all that the book has to offer. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians I learned answers to my questions about God’s plan, God’s purpose, my identity, and how to pray for growth in Christ. First, I will touch on each before I list, from the example of Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians, applying the word of God to your life: how to pray for growth in Christ.
God’s Plan
First, God’s plan for growth in Christ. God has immense wisdom and knowledge that surpasses all we could ever think or know. He has a plan and a purpose for all of us. I think it is important to know what his ultimate plan is; especially if you want an understanding God’s plan for yourself. So what is his plan? Ephesians 1:10-11 says, “ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ– everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. (NLT)” He chose us in advance to become apart of his family and receive benefits as his children.
He used Christ to fulfill his plan just as he will use us to fulfill his plan on earth. One part of the text says, those “…who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT) At his appointed time he will bring heaven and earth under the authority of Christ and we will inherit all that he has promised. Another part says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT) He makes everything work out according to his plan.
God’s purpose
Secondly, God’s purpose is for us to bring praise and glory to God. Our purpose from creation is to praise and glorify him. God’s purpose and eternal plan is to “…use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Ephesians 3:10-11 NLT) If our purpose does no align to his purpose then are we really in the will of God? Our job first and foremost is to bring praise and glory to God.
Identity in Christ
Thirdly, once we become united with Christ, we become a child of God. A child of a Father who has unlimited resources and brings him pleasure to call us his own. “Even before he made the world, God loves us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Ephesians 1: 4-5 NLT)
God also provided the Holy spirit as a gift for us and to identify us as his own. “…And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.”(Ephesians 1:13-14 NLT) I am identified through Christ. I am loved and seen without fault. I have a purpose; to praise and glorify God. I am entitled to receive an inheritance from his glorious unlimited resources as his child. Applying the word of God to my life: How to pray for growth in Christ opens up the attainability of all those things.
Now, the following are some things that Paul prays for or speaks about, to the Ephesians so that they may grow in Christ. I’ve used this as a guide in my prayers. If you feel stuck or don’t know what to say, pray for the following so that you too can pray for growth in Christ.
How to pray for growth in Christ
- Pray that your heart be flooded with light to understand the confident hope he gives. (Ephesians 1:18)
- Pray for spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. (Ephesians 1:17)
- Pray to understand the incredible greatness of God’s Power. (Ephesians 1:19)
- Pray for your inner strength to be empowered through his spirit from his glorious unlimited resources. (Ephesians 3:16)
- Pray for an increase in faith so you may come boldly and confidently in God’s presence. (Ephesians 3:12)
- Pray for the power to understand how wide, deep, high, long, his love is. (Ephesians 3:18)
- Pray to be wise and understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:17
- Pray in the spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent. (Ephesians 6:18)
Reading God’s word to pray for growth in Christ
Lastly, reading through this book helped me to understand and clarify some things that I had questions about. There is even more to learn in this book that is only 6 chapters long. It is full of insights into how to live righteously and gain a better understanding of who God is, who his son is, who we are in him and how to pray for growth in Christ.
There are many stories from the bible that I try to learn from and apply in everyday life, another post from this series is applying the word of God in your life: Abraham and Sarah. I’ve learned how to pray for growth in Christ and many other things just by studying the word of God. Another piece to growth is reading and studying his word and praying or reiterating what is already in the word of God. Doing this you will see your spiritual life grow as well as manifestation of his word in your personal life.
