For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.

In verse 14, Paul begins to explain how he is praying for the Ephesian Christians. He begins by telling them that he is going to give them the reason that he is praying. That reason is basically the content of the prayer which begins with the word “that” in verse 16.

He says in verse 14 that he bows his knees before the Father. Whether we physically position ourselves on our knees or not, doesn’t it show us the proper attitude with which we should come before God. The Bible tells us in other place to come boldly before the throne of grace, but that doesn’t mean proudly or carelessly. There should be a humility to our coming before the God of the universe.

Verse 15 is basically telling us that every one on earth can trace their history back to God the Father. He is the one who created Adam and Eve in the first place. He is the one who gave them life, and that life has been transmitted continuously until that life reached you and me.

Next time we’ll look at the prayer itself and see how it might be a template for how you and I can pray for one another.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 3:16 PM December 9, 2020.