Ephesians 1:15-23 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 1:15-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason Verse 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. Verse 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, Verse 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, Verse 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. Verse 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, Verse 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Verse 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, Verse 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Devotion
In his letter to the congregation in Ephesus, Paul is one thankful man! Notice how his thankfulness drives him to prayer for these same saints for whom he is thankful. In fact, walk one step further with Paul while looking closely at the content of his prayer for them: a spirit-driven wisdom and insight … that an inner light would go on … that they would know the hope of a secure future and rich inheritance … and for an experience of the power of the Almighty.
That’s not a bad pattern of prayer for those whom we love, along with a wonderful doxology reciting God’s largess and greatness! Praying like this for the people we love might keep us off petty concerns and desires, and from thinking too small about what God can do. Besides that, what’s NOT covered in this marvelous prayer?
Prayer
Almighty and powerful God, your dominion is the whole world, and our very lives are in your hands. Help us to entrust all for whom we pray to you, the God who fills “all in all.” Amen.