Transformative Prayer: Knowing God Deeply and Personally
Summary
This morning began with a celebration of new life in Christ as Jackson publicly declared his faith through baptism, reminding us all of the joy and significance of obedience to Jesus. We rejoiced in the fruit of Vacation Bible School, where several young hearts responded to the gospel, and we were reminded that every effort to share Christ is eternally worthwhile. These moments set the stage for a deeper exploration of prayer—what it means to truly connect with God, not just with words, but with our hearts and lives.
Prayer is not a monologue or a list of requests, but a direct message to God, a dialogue that transforms us from the inside out. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, models a kind of prayer that is radically others-focused and centered on knowing God more intimately. Rather than asking for comfort or escape, Paul prays that believers would receive wisdom and revelation to know God deeply, to have the eyes of their hearts enlightened, and to grasp the hope, riches, and power available to them in Christ.
Knowing God is the very purpose for which we were created. Through Jesus, the barrier of sin is removed, and we are adopted as God’s children, able to approach Him with confidence. This relationship is not about head knowledge or religious activity, but about a living, experiential connection with the living God. As we grow in knowing Him, trust and obedience naturally follow.
Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1 reveals four dimensions of knowing God: intimately, confidently, joyfully, and supremely. We are called to pray for ourselves and others to know God in these ways. Our hope is not wishful thinking, but a confident assurance rooted in God’s promises. We are God’s inheritance—His treasure and masterpiece—loved beyond measure. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in us, enabling us to live victoriously and fulfill God’s purposes.
Prayer is the battlefield of the Christian life. It is where spiritual victories are won, not by our strength, but by God’s power working in and through us. The invitation is to make prayer central, to seek God daily, and to remember that our connection to Him is always open through Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways
- True prayer is about transformation, not transaction. Paul’s example shows that prayer is not primarily about getting God to do things for us, but about asking God to do something in us—shaping our hearts, deepening our knowledge of Him, and aligning our desires with His. When we pray for wisdom and revelation, we open ourselves to a relationship that changes everything. [46:10]
- Knowing God is the foundation of trust and obedience. We cannot truly obey or trust God until we know Him personally. The more intimately we know Him, the more naturally we will trust and obey, because our confidence is rooted in His character, not our circumstances. This is the bullseye of the Christian life: to know God, not just know about Him. [53:45]
- Our value is found in being God’s inheritance. The riches of God’s glorious inheritance are not material things, but His people. We are God’s treasure, His masterpiece, and the object of His love. When we understand our worth in God’s eyes, it brings deep joy and security, silencing the lies of the enemy about our value. [01:04:31]
- The power at work in us is resurrection power. The same immeasurable, incomparable power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to every believer. This power is not just for extraordinary moments, but for daily living—empowering us to pray, to serve, to share the gospel, and to overcome discouragement and defeat. [01:08:37]
- Prayer is the battleground of spiritual life. All the spiritual armor and activity in the world is powerless without prayer. Satan does not fear our programs or efforts, but he trembles when God’s people pray. Victory is won on our knees, and our prayers make a difference because the power is in the One who hears, not in the one who prays. [01:12:12]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Baptism of Jackson
[05:22] - Prayer for Jackson and the Church
[06:30] - Reflections on VBS and Salvation Stories
[10:00] - The Power and Struggle of Prayer
[15:00] - The Itasca School Story: Unconnected Power
[19:00] - Introduction to “Direct Message” Series
[23:00] - Paul’s Prayers from Prison
[28:00] - What Paul Didn’t Pray For
[32:00] - The Purpose of Prayer: Knowing God
[48:59] - Pray to Know the Lord Intimately
[53:45] - Prayer, Care, and Share: Practical Application
[57:48] - Head Knowledge vs. Heart Knowledge
[59:36] - Pray to Know the Lord Confidently
[01:01:47] - Pray to Know the Lord Joyfully
[01:06:34] - The Immeasurable Power of God
[01:10:54] - Jesus’ Example: Prayer in Gethsemane
[01:12:12] - Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
[01:14:02] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[01:15:47] - Call to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Direct Message: Knowing God Through Prayer”
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### Bible Reading
Ephesians 1:16-23 (ESV)
> I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1, what does he ask God to give believers, and why? (see vv. 17-18)
2. In the sermon, what did the pastor say is the main purpose of prayer, based on Paul’s example? [[46:10]]
3. What does Paul mean by “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints”? How did the pastor explain this in the sermon? [[01:04:31]]
4. What kind of power does Paul say is at work in believers, and how is it described? [[01:08:37]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The pastor said that prayer is not about getting God to do things for us, but about God doing something in us. How does this change the way someone might approach prayer? [[46:10]]
2. Paul prays for believers to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened.” What does it mean to see with the “eyes of your heart” instead of just your physical eyes? [[59:36]]
3. The sermon described believers as God’s “inheritance” and “masterpiece.” How might understanding this affect a person’s sense of worth and identity? [[01:04:31]]
4. The pastor said the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to us. What are some practical ways this truth could impact a believer’s daily life? [[01:08:37]]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor shared that he sometimes feels inadequate in prayer and doesn’t pray as much as he should. Have you ever felt this way? What are some reasons you might struggle to pray regularly? [[05:22]]
2. Paul’s prayer focuses on knowing God more deeply, not just asking for things. When you pray, do you spend more time asking for things or seeking to know God better? How could you shift your prayers to be more about relationship than requests? [[46:10]]
3. The sermon encouraged writing down names of people who don’t know Jesus and praying for them regularly. Who is one person you could start praying for this week? What would it look like to pray, care, and share with them? [[53:45]]
4. The pastor said, “You won’t obey God until you trust God, and you won’t trust God until you know God.” Where do you see yourself in this process right now? What is one step you could take to know God more personally? [[53:45]]
5. The sermon explained that our value is found in being God’s inheritance, not in what we do or what others think. Are there lies you believe about your worth? How does knowing you are God’s treasure challenge those lies? [[01:04:31]]
6. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you. Is there an area of your life where you feel powerless or discouraged? How could you invite God’s resurrection power into that situation this week? [[01:08:37]]
7. The pastor said, “Prayer is the battleground of the Christian life.” What practical steps can you take to make prayer more central in your daily routine? What might need to change for this to happen? [[01:12:12]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another to know God more intimately, confidently, joyfully, and supremely this week. Consider praying specifically for the names written down during the discussion.
Devotional
Day 1: Pray to Know the Lord Intimately
To truly know God is the very purpose for which we were created, and prayer is the means by which we grow in that relationship. God desires not just that we know about Him, but that we experience Him personally and intimately, speaking to Him and listening for His voice. This is not a matter of reciting a list of requests, but of seeking a deeper connection, where our hearts are open to His wisdom and revelation. As we draw near to God through Jesus Christ, we find that our trust and obedience grow, and our prayers become a dialogue that transforms us from the inside out. [50:39]
Ephesians 1:16-17 (ESV)
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him."
Reflection: In your prayer time today, spend at least five minutes simply listening for God’s voice—what is He revealing to you about Himself that you have not noticed before?
Day 2: Pray to Know the Lord Confidently
God calls us to a hope that is not wishful thinking, but an unshakable confidence in His promises—past, present, and future. Through Christ, our past is redeemed, our present is being sanctified, and our future is secure in glorification. When the eyes of our hearts are enlightened, we see beyond our circumstances and trust that God will do what He has said. This confidence is not based on our feelings or situations, but on the certainty of God’s Word and His faithfulness to fulfill every promise He has made to us. [59:36]
Ephesians 1:18 (ESV)
"Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: What is one promise of God that you struggle to believe with confidence? Write it down and ask God to open the eyes of your heart to trust Him fully in this area.
Day 3: Pray to Know the Lord Joyfully
We are God’s treasure, His inheritance, and He delights in us as His people. Our value is not determined by the world, but by the love God demonstrated for us through the cross of Jesus Christ. When we understand how precious we are to God, joy fills our hearts, even in difficult times. God looks forward to the day when we will be with Him, and He wants us to live each day knowing how deeply we are loved and cherished as His masterpiece. [01:04:31]
Ephesians 1:18b (ESV)
"What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: When you are tempted to doubt your worth, how can you remind yourself today that you are God’s treasured inheritance? Is there a specific way you can celebrate this truth?
Day 4: Pray to Know the Lord Supremely
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him above all things is at work in us who believe. This is not a distant or theoretical power, but a living reality that enables us to do all that God calls us to do. We are not left to our own strength; God’s immeasurable, surpassing power is available to us through the Holy Spirit. There is no reason for a Christian to live a defeated life, for the power of Christ is behind us, in us, with us, and for us, empowering us to fulfill His will. [01:08:37]
Ephesians 1:19-23 (ESV)
"And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel powerless? Ask God today to help you rely on His resurrection power in that specific area.
Day 5: Prayer Is the Battlefield—Connect with God Daily
Prayer is not just a spiritual discipline; it is the very battlefield where victories are won and lives are changed. Jesus Himself modeled the necessity of prayer, even in His most difficult moments, and we are called to follow His example. The enemy fears a praying church, for prayer energizes all that we do and connects us directly to the heart and power of God. No matter how awkward or feeble our prayers may seem, God hears and answers when we come to Him through Jesus. Make it your daily practice to seek God, knowing that your connection with Him is always open and always powerful. [01:12:12]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)
"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: Set an alarm or reminder today to pause and pray at a time you normally would not—how does intentionally connecting with God in that moment change your perspective or your day?
Quotes
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