What is the context?
These requests belong to Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14–19. He addresses the Father after explaining the shared place of Jewish and Gentile believers in God’s purpose.
He asks for strength through the Spirit in their inner being, Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith, and a life rooted and grounded in love.
The request reaches beyond an individual’s private understanding: he wants them to grasp Christ’s love together with all the saints. Knowing that love and being filled with God’s fullness are the direction of his prayer.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read these requests as a prayer for believers to be strengthened through the Spirit, established in Christ’s love and brought into a fuller life with God. Wesley’s notes on verses 15–19 and the USCCB notes on verses 14–21 both connect the prayer with growing understanding of God’s love and fullness.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
In John 14:15–23, Jesus promises the Spirit’s presence and speaks of the Father and Son making their home with those who love Him and keep His word. He connects shared life with God, love and obedience.
That explicit promise gives a wider setting for Paul’s prayer. The strength and love he asks for belong to the life Jesus promised His people through the Spirit. Paul is asking for that life with God to take deep root among them.
What is our position?
Our study What Does Prayer Look Like?, in its discussion of Ephesians 3:16–19, treats this as an example of praying for others to know God more deeply, love more fully and live in a way that honors Him. The requests focus on strength through the Spirit, Christ dwelling in their hearts, being rooted in love and knowing His love more deeply.