Read: Eph.1: 15-23
Emeka Nwakpa, a reputable Barrister as well as a man of God committed to a global prayer ministry was involved in a case which was referred to the Supreme Court of Nigeria (the highest court). He was to argue a case for his client and as he was preparing, he prayed fervently to God for divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding on how to go about the case. Whilst he was praying, the Holy Spirit impressed on his heart to concentrate on point No.5 of the five points being contested and leave the rest. He obeyed and did his work well. Unknown to him, the other counsel had concentrated on the other four points assuming that if he succeeded in winning 4 out of 5 points, the case was definitely going to be decided in his favour. It was Barrister Emeka who was to make his submission first. As he got up to speak, he told the court he was not going to contest the first four points anymore but only the fifth. The other Attorney got up and raised a point of order, saying that Barrister Emeka had no right to leave out the first four points. However, he was overruled by the court and the case went ahead. After Barrister Emeka finished his submission, the other Lawyer who apparently had not prepared any defence for that point caved in. Thus the case was decided in favour of Barrister Emeka’s client. This success was not simply because of Barrister Emeka’s brilliance but because he knew how to access the realm of the spirit in prayer for the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that surpasses that of this world. May the good Lord grant us the grace to be able to battle in the place of prayer for divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding relevant to our assignment here on earth in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Discussion
- In Eph. 1: 15-17, we have an account of Apostle Paul praying for spiritual wisdom for the Ephesians church.
(i) What is wisdom? How is the kind of wisdom Paul is praying for different from conventional wisdom? (Jas.3: 17)
(ii) Paul made a ceaseless intercession for spiritual wisdom. Why do you think it was important so to do? (Prov.4: 7-9, Job12:13 TLB; Job28:20-25 TLB)
(iii) What lesson can we learn from Paul’s earnest and ceaseless prayer attitude?
- In Eph.1:18, Paul further prayed for spiritual understanding for the Ephesians church.
(i). How do you think this kind of understanding differs from intellectual understanding?
(ii). Why do you think it is important to earnestly and constantly pray for spiritual understanding as Paul did? (v.18)
- In Eph.1: 17& 19, Paul also prayed for the spirit of revelation in the knowledge of God.
(i). How is revelation knowledge different from intellectual knowledge?
(ii). Why do you think it is so important for every believer to desire to attain the level of revelation knowledge of the incredible greatness of God’s power that is available to us; the power that raised Jesus from the dead? (Eph.1:19-23)
Conclusion
Life is full of unknowns and that is why it is a mystery. However in our redemption, God has made available to us, the tripartite components of divine wisdom, (ability to know what to do per time and how to do it), divine understanding and revelation knowledge. These are meant to help us navigate the road map of life successfully. As these are spiritual instruments, they do not come wily nilly, we need to ‘download’ them in the place of ceaseless and earnest prayer as we learnt from Apostle Paul. May the good Lord fill us with spiritual wisdom, understanding and revelation in the knowledge of Him as we daily look up to Him in Jesus’ name. Amen
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