named." It is
interesting that the title "God" is not associated with this prayer as in
ch. i., although the thought of Deity is found in the allusion to bowing
the knees. And in addition to God as the Father He is described as the One
"from Whom every family (Greek, 'fatherhood') in heaven and earth is
named." This seems to mean that whatever element of family life exists, it
comes from God, that all true spiritual life in heaven or earth has its
origin in the Father. The scope of the prayer is particularly noteworthy,
as we contemplate God as the Fount of every fatherhood and the Parent of
all men everywhere. Such a statement will do more than anything else to
guard us against narrow or purely selfish desires as we approach God in
prayer.

4. THE APPEAL.

"That He would grant you" (ver. 16). As in the former prayer, the Apostle
is clear that what he is about to ask is essentially a Divine gift. It
comes from above, whether he is seeking knowledge (ch. i. 17) or power
(ch. iii. 16). At every step God must give and the believer must receive.
It would be well for us in our Christian experience to emphasise this
simple but searching truth. "Every good and every perfect gift comes from
above."

5. THE STANDARD.

"According to the riches of His glory" (ver. 16). Here again we begin to
realise something of the fulness of the prayer to be offered. The measure
of the Apostle's desire is not our own poverty, but God's wealth; we are
to look away from ourselves to the infinite riches of the Divine glory. In
the former prayer he asked that we might know the riches of God's glory.
But here there is something more; we are to experience them in our heart
and life.

6. THE PETITIONS.

In general St. Paul asks for two great spiritual blessings, the inward
strength of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling presence of Christ. These
are inseparable, and we may regard the first as essential to the second,
and the second as the effect of the first. But the prayer goes into detail
and each part of the petition calls for careful meditation.

(1) "Strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man" (ver.
16, R.V.). As wisdom was the burden of the former prayer (ch. i. 17), so
strength is the main thought here. The order, too, is significant; wisdom
and power, since power without knowledge would be highly dangerous. This
strength comes from the Holy Spirit; He is the Agent of God's enabling
grace. And the strength is to