In every church I've served, we've had what's affectionately called popcorn prayer.
That's when prayer requests pop up from all around the sanctuary. Popcorn praying is a way for the church to share what they've been praying for. Most times, they represent immediate needs. There's something happening right now. Or we're hoping for something now.
Of course, we pray for what's popping in your life today. We want people to experience healing, comfort and well being. We celebrate and mourn with each other every week. And those prayers are meaningful ways to care for one another.
But, in the letter to the Ephesians, we're given something even deeper that we can ask God for. The epistle opens with a broad and powerful prayer request. The community of faith is not forgotten in prayer. The writer prays they would know God, have spiritual wisdom and revelation and have their hearts enlightened. To understand the hope of God, the riches of our faith and the power of Jesus.
What we see is that the writer isn't asking God to change circumstances, as appropriate as that is. The prayer is that God would change people.
What if we started praying like that for our church family? When I pray for our church, Ephesians is a leading source of inspiration. Again, it's important to pray with people for what they're experiencing now. But there's also a great power and hope in helping people discover what they already have in Christ so that they know what the Spirit's already equipped them to do. 
Keep popcorn praying. But don't stop there.
Start adding a deeper prayer for your congregation. Start with your small group or even just a handful of people. Before worship or Bible study, repeat the prayer from Ephesians 1:17-19. Ask God to give wisdom, to open hearts and help us know the fullness of God. And ask the Lord to continue to shape our hearts. Because, when our hearts change, everything else starts to change as well.
Stay blessed...john | 
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