Priestly Prayers

Ephesians 1:15-23

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18)

IN MOST RELIGIOUS CULTURES, certain people are designated to carry out priestly functions, whether they are called priests or not. They are mediators between the human and divine realms, representing humanity to God and God to humanity, and making appeals for harmony between the two. Old Testament priests performed that role in Temple worship and sacrifices; New Testament priests—all believers—have been given similar roles in more subtle forms, appealing only to the sacrifice of Christ and, through him, being ministers of reconciliation between God and his world (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). We stand between heaven and earth with a message of peace and restoration.

One of our greatest privileges as priests is the power of prayer. Sometimes we pray for the needs of this world without clear knowledge of which requests fit God’s will, but we can be certain that he longs to show his compassion and grace. And if we want specific examples of what those kinds of prayer look like, we have several: the apostolic prayers of the New Testament. They are scattered throughout—Paul recorded his prayers in some of his letters (for examples, see Ephesians 1:16-20; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12)—and they are there for us to use. When we pray Spirit-inspired, apostolic prayers for the people around us, we can be certain we are asking according to God’s will. And we can be certain he will answer them.

For starters, try the prayer in Ephesians 1:16-20. Substitute the pronouns with specific names, including your own, if you’d like. Envision God filling his people with the radiance of his glory, the hope of his calling, and the riches of his inheritance. See him empowering them to believe. Pray intensely and repeatedly, day after day, and see what he does. Search Scripture for other prayers and use them liberally. The Kingdom comes through the prayers of God’s people in the name of his Son. Take advantage of the opportunity daily.

{Father, you have lavished your love on your people, and there is more to give. May my prayers open the floodgates of your love and all its blessings on the people around me. Fill my mouth with apostolic, priestly words of faith that change lives. Amen.