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
As one who has been entrusted with the task of speaking God’s word to a congregation, I often feel humbled by the awesome responsibility of preaching. Some days I leave the church disappointed after delivering what I considered to be a weak sermon. What a surprise, then, to have a conversation or receive an e-mail later in the week from someone who felt as though God was speaking directly to them through my words.
In his prayer for the church at Ephesus, St. Paul confidently asks for God to strengthen those Christians with power through the Holy Spirit. For he knows from his own experience that it is only by the power of God at work within us, that we are “able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.”
Prayer
God of all power, we pray for your Spirit to dwell richly within us, empowering us to grow in our understanding and embodiment of your love for others. Amen.