Prayer for Power

Pastor Carol Grace ♦ July 9, 2012 ♦ Leave a comment

A Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Imagine this—you are a Christian missionary and you have traveled to parts of the world where Jesus Christ is unknown.  You have labored to bring the gospel to a group of people. They accepted your message just like the deer that is thirsty almost to death and when he finds cool, refreshing water from the stream he laps it up with enthusiasm.  You have been imprisoned for your efforts but learn that the church you started has been under attack from false preachers, black magic, division, yet the church has remained strong.

The scenario above is the background for the book of Ephesians, one of the Pauline epistles written while Paul was in prison.  Paul loved all new churches, but he had a particular fondness for the churches he began.  The church at Ephesus was started during Paul’s third missionary journey and he wanted to give them the encouragement they needed to remain strong in the faith.

During the first two chapters of Ephesians Paul reminds them of the mystery of Jesus Christ which has been made available to the Gentiles, this mystery being that we are all saved by grace.  He finishes his letter with this prayer, and what a great prayer it is.  Paul makes sure the Ephesians understands that they are now a part of God’s family, and they have access to power through the Holy Spirit who has set up a dwelling place within their hearts. Paul prays that the people at Ephesus are filled with the fullness of God—His love, His grace, His mercy, and His power.

If you are feeling less than secure about your relationship with God, pray this prayer for yourself, your family, your church and your community.  The power of God’s Holy Spirit is available for all Christians.  All we must do is plug in through prayer, Bible reading, community (attending a Bible-believing church) and we will begin to see our faith increase and our resolve strengthened.

PRAYER: Precious Father, thank you for people like Paul who gave everything for the gospel.  Thank you that your grace is meant for all who will hear and respond.  May we be empowered today and every day by your Word, your Spirit, and your love. Amen