Knowledge

As I pray through Scripture, particularly through Paul’s prayers, I’m amazed at the common themes that run through each prayer.  Take knowledge as an example…I don’t think Paul is praying that we’d know more facts about God, but that we’d know God.  That we would grow in our knowledge of Him because we spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word.

In Ephesians 1:17 Paul prays, “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…”. The words that follow are incredible, but the heart of the prayer is that we would be given the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

If you turn over to Ephesians 3:14-19 you’ll find another prayer of Paul.  He prays for us to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in our inner being, He does this so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that we’d be rooted and grounded in love, in verse 18 he asks "that we may have strength to comprehend," and then in verse 19, “And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…”. WE will talk about fullness later but notice the heart of his prayer is that we’d know the love of Christ.

In Colossians 1:9-11 we find another prayer of Paul and in verse 9, “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…”. He will go on to say the reason he wants us to be filled with the knowledge of His will is so we can walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

And then in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…”.

Peter joins in this line of thinking, in 2 Peter 1:3 he said, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…”

Here is the point…there is great power in knowing God…not in a trivia type of knowledge, but in an intimate relationship.  You see it in the intercession of Moses, the prayers of David, and in the life of Jesus.  Prayer is a major part of getting to know God.  As you read His Word, pray for the Spirit to help you get to know Him, but as you put your Bible down and turn your eyes toward Him, learn to talk and listen, and learn to recognize His voice.  He is still speaking and He wants us to know Him.  Devote your life to that pursuit.

And don't forget to pray for those around you...a great prayer for our prodigals and for the lost and for those who are walking in the Spirit is that they would grow in their knowledge of God.