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
If you know someone is praying for you today, you have reason to be thankful. Oh, that all members of communities of faith would have people praying for them, as Paul prayed for the church in Ephesus. We all need people praying on our behalf, so that we too may grow in grace to know what is the hope to which we are called, and the riches of his glorious inheritance. Like Paul, may we pray that God will give those for whom we pray a spirit of wisdom and revelation as they come to know Jesus Christ, and that we who believe would come to know the immeasurable greatness of the Lord's power.
When I say bedtime prayers with my children, I delight to hear them conclude their bedtime ritual with the Lord’s Prayer and the words of the doxology: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.” Yes, it shall be so, I say with them, thus ending another day by rejoicing in the power and glory of God’s reign.
Prayer
God of truth, grant a spirit of wisdom and revelation to those who seek to know the life-giving power of your love. Amen.