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
Presently, I am planning to visit our partner congregation in Chamasowa, Malawi, on the continent of Africa. What St. Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesians reflects my feelings.
I, and those who have previously traveled to our partner church in Malawi, have "heard of (their) faith in the Lord Jesus and (their) love for all the saints." Through these years we also have given thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Malawi and remembered them in our prayers.
It is a positive experience for our congregation to partner with another, whether nearby or far away. It gives us a clear sense of being a part of something bigger than ourselves—what Paul calls, "the body of Christ."
Prayer
Lord, we pray for the whole body of Christ. We pray especially for those persons and congregations with whom we partner in ministry. Amen.