Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
— Ephesians 3:14–21 (KJV)
About This Prayer
Paul wrote this prayer from prison for the young church at Ephesus, and it has become one of the most beloved ways to pray for someone else. He does not ask for their circumstances to improve; he asks for something bigger — inner strength, Christ at home in their hearts, and a love so wide and deep it cannot be measured. It ends with a burst of praise to the God "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think," words many churches still use as a closing blessing.
Modern Translation (WEB)
For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know Christ's love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
— Ephesians 3:14–21 (WEB)
When to Pray This
Pray this for the people you love most — put their name where Paul says "you" and pray it slowly. It is a rich prayer for your children, your church, or a friend going through a hard stretch, and just as good to pray over your own heart when your faith feels thin.