Prayer for the Ephesians

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Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV)

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Devotion:

            In this scripture passage we find Paul interceding powerfully on behalf of the beloved Ephesian church. We can appropriate this prayer as being made for us. It is a dynamic and powerful prayer. We read that Paul prayed for this church on his knees. This posture of prayer is unusual among protestant Christians today. However, it is especially appropriate in this case. It points out Paul’s relationship with the Father as one of a servant. A bodily and spiritual posture that we should all have.

            Paul prays that Christ will come and strengthen the Ephesians, and by extension us, with the full power of the Holy Spirit. He knows that it is foolishness to try to stand strong for the Lord in any season of life without the indwelling Spirit to sustain and empower us to resist the spirit of the age. Paul prays for those who read or hear this prayer to be “rooted and grounded in love.” We should pray the same for ourselves and for our churches in this present age. Having our roots in love we can stand in the worst of times.

            As we live in this Advent season of the church, we should be people who seek to strengthen our relationship with God. This prayer of Paul is a step in that direction. As we seek to apply its truths to our lives, we can know that God is for us. The Lord seeks followers who will follow Him in prayer and in action. When we do this, we will know the joy of having Christ dwelling within us. God seeks those who love Him in this way. Let us live out Christ’s indwelling love during this season of waiting and searching.

Prayer:

            Lord, may we make Paul’s prayer recorded for us in Ephesians as our own. May we seek to follow you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We ask for wisdom in applying these words to our lives. Help us to know the love of Christ which surpasses all human knowledge. Having experienced that love may we give that love to our hurting and broken world. Grant us, Lord, to be generous givers of your wisdom, knowledge, and love. Amen.

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