YOU CAN PRAY THE SO-CALLED “LORD’S PRAYER” OR YOU CAN PRAY THE PRAYER OF PAUL, found over in Eph 1:15-23

Keep in mind that Paul was the Pagan’s apostle. His message is unique. And this prayer is WAY BEYOND anything most christians have ever considered — why? — because most christians keep mixing up the evangel of the circumcision with the evangel of the uncircumcision.

So, Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 is really deep. I’m not sure I get it even though I’ve considered the matter for years.

The circumcision evangel is all about grace AND WORKS.
The uncircumcision evangel is all about grace AND FAITH.

You should not mix the two into one pot of soup. You’ll lose a lot.

In fact, I’ll tell you here and now… YOU SHOULD ONLY READ PAUL’S 13 LETTERS FOR NEXT FEW YEARS. Then, gently consider the rest of the Bible… after all, the rest of the Bible is written to, for, and about, the Jews.

But, again, Paul is the pagan’s apostle. (See Galatians 2:7)

Anyway… there is this chick I’ve been having theological debates with.
She is clueless that her message is all about WORKS, WORKS, WORKS.

She insists she is not preaching WORKS, and then will preach works with all her little heart.

The other day, she and I had this exchange: (enjoy)

I SAID:
“I pray…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him,”

SHE REPLIED:
“You are praying that God gives me the REALIZATION of Him? You THINK that I don’t REALIZE Him? Not only do I realize Him I also know Him…we talk every day,…”

(Her reply actually went on for a total of 1,322 words. It was all about WORKS, WORKS, WORKS. All that YOU MUST DO to be saved, type of thing. She knows nothing of “GRACE” — Grace is the favor of God shown to someone who deserves the opposite.)

So… I REPLIED:
“I’m quite sure that you do not have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him. “I have been so-called “born again” since 1967 and a serious bible student since 1980… and I’m also quite sure that I do not have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him.”

I PRESENT THIS LITTLE EXCHANGE — so that you can see, the modern day pharisee’s pride in themselves is strong.
And, to encourage you to read the letters of Paul… The basis of Paul’s teaching is that…
“All is of God” — Romans 11:36.
“God is operating all things, after the council of his own will” — Eph 1:11
“God is the savior of all.” I TIM 4:10
And God’s operation, right now, was a “secret” (mystery KJV) but now has been revealed though Paul’s evangel.

CHECK IT OUT:
From EPHESIANS, CHAPTER THREE:
3 for by revelation the secret is made known to me (according as I write before, in brief, 4 by which you who are reading are able to apprehend my understanding in the secret of the Christ, 5 which, in other generations, is not made known to the sons of humanity as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets): in spirit 6 the nations are to be joint enjoyers of an allotment, and a joint body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus, through the evangel 7 of which I became the dispenser, in accord with the gratuity of the grace of God, which is granted to me in accord with His powerful operation. 8 To me, less than the least of all saints, was granted this grace: to bring the evangel of the untraceable riches of Christ to the nations, 9 and to enlighten all as to what is the administration of the secret, which has been concealed from the eons in God, Who creates all, 10 that now may be made known to the sovereignties and the authorities among the celestials, through the ecclesia, the multifarious wisdom of God, 11 in accord with the purpose of the eons, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord;

This stuff is deep. And humbling.
Grace to you, all of you.
Ace.

Paul’s Prayer: (From Ephesians chapter one)

15 Therefore, I also, on hearing of this faith of yours in the Lord Jesus, and that for all the saints,
16 do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention in my prayers
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him,
18 the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, for you to perceive what is the expectation of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of the enjoyment of His allotment among the saints,
19 and what the transcendent greatness of His power for us who are believing, in accord with the operation of the might of His strength,
20 which is operative in the Christ, rousing Him from among the dead and seating Him at His right hand among the celestials,
21 up over every sovereignty and authority and power and lordship, and every name that is named, not only in this eon, but also in that which is impending:
22 and subjects all under His feet, and gives Him, as Head over all, to the ecclesia
23 which is His body, the complement of the One completing the all in all.