16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
Paul requested that God would give the Ephesian church wisdom and revelation (1:16-18).
16 do not cease to give thanks for you,
Paul continued to give thanks for the Ephesians because of their faith toward the Lord Jesus and love for the saints.
making mention of you in my prayers:
Paul assured the Ephesians of his prayers for them. In addition to thanksgiving, Paul made intercession on behalf of the Ephesians. He named the Ephesians in prayer.
PRINCIPLE:
It is important to tell people personally that we thank God for them and pray for them.
APPLICATION:
There is nothing that delights the heart of a pastor more than to see his people walk in the faith and, as a consequence, love one another. Have you even told your pastor that you appreciate him, that he has ministered to you, and that he has been a blessing in your life? Go ahead and do it; bless his soul.
It is a good idea to give your wife flowers before they put them on her casket!
It is important to name people in our prayers; “I pray for you by name.” It will bless those who do not know Christ to hear that we pray for them by name.
Thanks Grant for making it possible to study Ephesians again with you. You taught me much as our pastor, but studying with you at a slower pace with this commentary has been a double blessing. I now can pause and meditate as I learn. I will always appreciate the way you taught us to study verse by verse and within the context to get the full meaning.
Sharon, thank you for this blessing.