What Should We Pray for When We Suffer?
A Tim Keller Sermon Summary
Paul was in prison because of the Ephesians, and the Ephesian Christians were suffering too. Then Paul encouraged and prayed for them (3:1,13). What did Paul pray for? Let’s learn from Ephesians 3:13-21.
Typically, one would pray to reduce their physical affliction and sickness. Paul didn’t. Nor did Paul pray for their health, wealth, beauty, reputation, or comfort.
Instead, Paul asked God to strengthen them through the Holy Spirit!
Paul also asked God to help them grasp the immense love of Christ—not just knowing with their minds, but fully realizing the width, length, depth and height of Christ’s love.
This love is shown by God never forsaking us (Heb13:5). If we know that, we should never feel insecure.
This love is shown by Christ: even though He is God, He became human, suffered to the point of death, and died on a cross for us (Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 26:38). If we know that, we would follow Christ who loves us so much.
This love is shown by Christ giving us the glory His Father gave Him (John17:22). If we remember that, we will not be enslaved by worldly things.
This love is worth the adoration of millions of angels (Revelation5:11-12). Shouldn’t we adore Him also?
Day by day, we should strive to be mindful of this immense love of Christ so that we might be renewed, even as our physical bodies grow weak (2Corinthians4:16).
When we suffer, we must guard against being controlled by the suffering, and instead seek to overcome whatever sorrow and grief are upon us. We must ask God to strengthen us through the Holy Spirit and to help us grasp Christ’s immense love.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon, titled, “Be Strong Through the Holy Spirit. Grasp Christ’s Immense Love”:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/when-i-survey-5633/
Typically, one would pray to reduce their physical affliction and sickness. Paul didn’t. Nor did Paul pray for their health, wealth, beauty, reputation, or comfort.
Instead, Paul asked God to strengthen them through the Holy Spirit!
Paul also asked God to help them grasp the immense love of Christ—not just knowing with their minds, but fully realizing the width, length, depth and height of Christ’s love.
This love is shown by God never forsaking us (Heb13:5). If we know that, we should never feel insecure.
This love is shown by Christ: even though He is God, He became human, suffered to the point of death, and died on a cross for us (Philippians 2:5-8, Matthew 26:38). If we know that, we would follow Christ who loves us so much.
This love is shown by Christ giving us the glory His Father gave Him (John17:22). If we remember that, we will not be enslaved by worldly things.
This love is worth the adoration of millions of angels (Revelation5:11-12). Shouldn’t we adore Him also?
Day by day, we should strive to be mindful of this immense love of Christ so that we might be renewed, even as our physical bodies grow weak (2Corinthians4:16).
When we suffer, we must guard against being controlled by the suffering, and instead seek to overcome whatever sorrow and grief are upon us. We must ask God to strengthen us through the Holy Spirit and to help us grasp Christ’s immense love.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon, titled, “Be Strong Through the Holy Spirit. Grasp Christ’s Immense Love”:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/when-i-survey-5633/