“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far 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 one to come.” Ephesians 1:15-21
For this reason– that you’ve been saved and redeemed unto an everlasting inheritance in Christ according to His eternal and glorious purpose- I pray this for you. Paul longs for the Ephesians to know every spiritual blessing they own securely in Christ, to rejoice in it, and to experience its fullness. Great reason and purpose compels great prayer! This knowing and realizing would be the secret to their perspective and power for ministry life going forward. It would determine action and develop both the individual and church. It would be the source of effective gospel living in every arena. (Ephesians 1:3,7-14)
As God’s adopted children, how well acquainted are we with the vast bounty of spiritual treasure He has given us in Christ? Do we know His eternal purpose for us is to be holy and blameless? Is that our desire also? From personal experience, how familiar are we with the grace He supplies for challenging decisions, relationships, and uncertainties? How have trials heightened the anticipation of what awaits us, and desperation the greatness of His power over our own? In what situations have our eyes been enlightened by His living word, or spirits quickened by His resurrection power? The more these gifts become joyfully ours in daily life, the more we will want others to know them too.
For whom are we in regular, earnest prayer, and what drives those prayers? Do we mumble off rote lists, or repeat empty platitudes seeking ease and happiness, wishing all the hard would go away? Or do we plead for God to unfold these deeper realities for those we love, no matter what it takes? Imagine what glory and growth we would see if God poured out His spirit of wisdom and revelation to those seeking to know Him and His will, or His immense power for the relinquishment of long-held resentment or victory over a sin habit, or His hope for those who suffer or grieve. There is no higher calling or greater gift than to know Jesus.
“I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.” ~D. W. Whittle (1883)
Lord, from all that You’ve done for me, may I pray with wisdom and boldness for others in the power and for the sake of Your name.
As the rain and snow 