Two big prayer mistakes…

• Our prayers are too general.

• Our prayers are too small.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. —Ephesians 3:14-21

You need the power of God to know Christ.

…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. —Ephesians 3:17

You need the power of God to grasp how much God loves you.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:18-19

Your prayers change when the power of God dwells in you and you know how much He loves you.

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Discipleship Guide

Connect

• Tell a story of a time when you prayed a big prayer and you saw God answer in a big way.

Word and Reflection

God desires for us to learn to pray breakthrough prayers – not prayers that are small and general – but powerful prayers that will impact our life and bring increase to God’s Kingdom. In Ephesians 3, Paul prays a breakthrough prayer for the Ephesian church, asking God to strengthen them in the power to know Christ and the fullness of God’s love for us. Your prayers change when the power of God dwells in you and you understand how much He loves you.

Ephesians 3:14-21; James 4:2; Mark 1:11; Zephaniah 3:17

• Which part of the message made an impact, caught your attention or challenged you?

• What keeps you from praying—guilt, boredom, distraction, pain, doubt?

• Read Ephesians 3:14-21. What are some of your prayers that require the spiritual richness of an all-powerful God?

• If God answered all of your prayers last week, how would your life and others’ lives look different? In other words, you pray “so that,” what?

• Have you sensed God’s power, direction, or love more strongly during a time of prayer? Share your experience. What will you pray for with power this week?

Action

• Think about an area of your life where you’re needing the power of God to show up. Pray for breakthrough in that area this week.

Prayer

• Pray that God will strengthen you with power and that the Holy Spirit will immerse you in His love. Pray knowing that God can do immeasurably more that all you ask or imagine.
• Pray for your group and for those whom you’re reaching out to.