Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 3:14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, Verse 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. Verse 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, Verse 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Verse 18I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Verse 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Verse 20Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, Verse 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father . . . writes Paul.
It seems to me that knees don’t bow. People bow; knees bend. I had to check the original Greek writing on this…and sure enough!
This posture of kneeling for Paul is a spiritually painful practice. It is an act of confession and honesty. Paul is overcome by a sense of his own shortcoming as over against the One who can "accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine."
In great Grandpa Smith’s house, so I’m told, everyone in the household got on their knees each night in the living room for prayer – at sunset. Then they went off quietly to bed. I think tonight I will get on my knees for prayer. It seems an odd thing for an adult man to do. It probably shouldn’t be.
Prayer
Lord God, this is an email prayer – said or read as I stare at my computer screen. I know you hear. I know you care. I do, too. Give me the courage to show my love more boldly. In Jesus’ name. Amen.