Introduction:  Much has been taught through the years about the subject of prayer.  Yet the content of Paul’s prayers for the various churches to whom he wrote do not sound much like our prayers at all.  What are some of the things that Paul prayed for that we as grace age believers ought to give more time to?

1. FOLLOWING A GREAT DECLARATION
1. Following God’s Purpose (Ephesians 1:3-14 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: [12] That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. [13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, [14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
   See All...)
1. Which He had purposed “in Himself” (Ephesians 1:9Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
   See All...)
2. Which was concerning Christ’s work
2. Following God’s Purpose (Ephesians 3:1-13 [1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. [8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: [12] In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. [13] Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
   See All...)
1. Which He had purposed “In Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 3:11According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
   See All...)
2. Which was concerning the gentiles as fellowheirs
2. THE MOTIVATION FOR PAUL'S PRAYER   (Ephesians 1:15-16 [15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, [16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
   See All...)
1. What Paul Heard (Ephesians 1:15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
   See All...)
1. Paul heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus
2. Paul heard of their love unto all the saints
2. What Paul Did (Ephesians 1:16Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
   See All...)
1. Ceased not to give thanks for them
2. Made mention of them in his prayers
3. BLESSINGS FOR THE EPHESIANS (Ephesians 1:17-23 [17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
   See All...)
1. The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17-19 [17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: [18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, [19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
   See All...)
1. The eyes of their understanding enlightened (Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
   See All...)
2. That they may know what is the hope of His calling (Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
   See All...)
3. That they may know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
   See All...)
4. That they may know the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe (Ephesians 1:19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
   See All...)
5. According to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
   See All...)
2. The Praise of the Lord (Ephesians 1:20-23 [20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
   See All...)
1. The resurrection of Christ (Ephesians 1:20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
   See All...)
2. The exaltation of Christ (Ephesians 1:21-23 [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
   See All...)

Conclusion:  Are we praying one for another?  Are we praying for one another as Paul prayed for the churches to which he ministered?  Perhaps we ought to spend more time praying for the spiritual blessings than the materialistic blessings.