The passage I read was Ephesians 3:14-21 You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A14-21&version=NIV
The verse that most stood out to me:
As I reflect:
In this passage, I’m sure there are other topics to be taken and studied, but I am going to focus on the way Paul prays. I took apart the passage a little to simplify his prayer. Here’s what I got:
He prays that God, “may strengthen you in your inner being.”
Why? “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
He prays that , “you may have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge”
Why? “so that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
His prayer is for the believer and makes good since in that for a believer to fully experience the relationship God has intended us to have with Him, we must also more deeply gain understanding of just how greatly we are loved by God. This is an understanding that need go beyond head knowledge and enter into our hearts that we may have a strengthened bond with our God who saved us. This should be a desire and pray of every Christian not only for themselves but also for other believers that we would all more deeply understand the love that Christ has for us and in this knowledge draw nearer to Him.
Note also, that Paul’s prayer is without hesitation or doubt. In vs 20 and 21 he says that the one to whom he prays is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”. This to me affirms that his prayer is one he believes is going to be answered by Our Lord who is more than capable of answering it. We are told throughout the word to pray without doubt. Mark 11:24 says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This is just one of many instances where God’s word tells us to trust in God and ask and receive, and don’t doubt when asking.
For me, I am encouraged to remember always the love that God has for us and the love that has been shown not only on the cross and from the tomb, but also daily in our lives as we are provided for so much greater than the birds of the air and so much more undeserved. This is also a wonderful reminder and encouragement that when praying (from proper motivation of His will) I am to believe without doubt that God will answer. It is reflection times like these that draw me nearer to the one who first loved me, while I was yet a sinner.
My response to the Lord:
Lord I know that you are able to do far more than I pray for. I know that you answer my prayers and that you hear me. Father I thank you for the great sacrifice your Son made that has allowed me to come to you in prayer through His wonderful name. I thank you for the love you have shown me not only in saving me from hell, but also in continuing daily to save me from myself and from my enemies as you continue your sanctifying work in my life. May my family in Christ, the church, consider and know the greatness of your love in our lives and may we be encouraged and strengthened in your power as we consider this wonderful truth Father. In the name of Yeshua I pray.
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