Heart: Something was amiss in the church at Ephesus. They were not praying for the salvation of the lost. Those who had rejected a good conscience and were shipwrecked in faith had no love in their hearts (1:5). The fountain of godliness from which holy love flows had dried up. There had to be course correction. Therefore, Paul steered them toward the heart of God our Savior who wants all men to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9). Children of God should have their Father’s heart in them (Eph. 5:1). His Spirit within us should drive us not to personal comfort and ease but to blood-earnestness to lead others to reconciliation with God. There should be a voice from within that exclaims to the lost, “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20; 1 Pet. 2:9).

Prayer: As with all things, we must begin with prayer. Therefore, even before calling the church to the right motives, Paul calls them to pray. This is not any prayer but prayer for the salvation of all men, that is, of all the lost around us. Our heart should be as big as our Lord’s, who purchased “men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation (Rev. 5:9). We are also to pray for governmental authorities to remove obstacles to the cause of the gospel. Godly living without oppression or persecution enables us to so shine before men that they may “see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). But we begin with prayer, because we make “entreaties” arising from our sense of need, speak Godward prayers to Him who alone can regenerate and convert, approach our heavenly Father with confident “petitions,” and give “thanksgivings” to the generous Giver of all good things. We need our Lord’s power and provision (Zech. 4:6; John 14:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:9).