Have you prayed today? If so ... what was the focus of your prayer? If we could poll the participants in this study, my guess is that the list of things would be LONG!!! And I suspect range would be BROAD!!! That would be right and appropriate because I cannot think of anything that is not worthy to be taken to our Father. He knows the desires of your heart so why not verbalize them to Him. If you or someone you love is currently in a battle with health issues - it will be in your prayers, and rightfully so - but that is not the most pressing need of the human heart. If you are struggling financially in this difficult time - job gone and nothing on the near horizon - mortgage payment due or bills stacking up - it will be in your prayers, and rightfully so ... but even that is not the most pressing need of the human heart. If you are struggling with the longing for a child and are having to deal with issues around infertility - that will be front and center in your prayers ... but it is not the most pressing need of the human heart, even your own heart. If you are facing decisions for your aging parent(s) that are so difficult - wisdom for those decisions will be central in your prayer - and rightfully so ... but, again, it is not the most pressing need of the human heart. We could go on and on with the scenarios and circumstances that we confront each day ... you make your own list. However, if things such as these are not the most pressing need ... what is? I believe we get insight into that from Paul through his prayer at the end of chapter 1.
Read Ephesians 1: 15 - 23.
Our most pressing need? It is to know God. It is in that "knowing" that we find the strength, the wisdom, the courage to encounter the things of life in this fallen world. Paul prays that these believers will fully perceive, that they will have precise and correct knowledge of the living God. If that is not part of our prayer for ourselves and those we love ... let's make it so!
In addition to that "knowledge" Paul prays for enlightenment for these believers. Enlightenment is necessary because there are some things that they must KNOW. Before we look at those 3 things, consider the word, know. In Greek, the word used here is eido. Included in the possible meanings for this word we find - "to perceive with eyes and senses, to experience". Keep that in mind as we consider the things that Paul wants us to "know".
First, he prays that we know the hope of His calling. Remember, this word, hope, is not wishing. It is not crossing your fingers. It is a full expectation and anticipation of the thing happening. What has God called you to? The "call" God has placed on every believer's life is to be holy and blameless before Him (Ephesians 1:4). And that changes everything! It changes both the way you think and the way you behave. We will read later in Ephesians 4:1 that we are to live life "worthy of the call" ... and the call is to be holy and blameless before Him. Paul wants us to KNOW, to experience, this can be a reality because of living "in" Jesus Christ.
Second, Paul prays that we know the riches of the glory of our inheritance in Jesus. We are so easily distracted by the baubles of this world. In "The Weight of Glory", C. S. Lewis says, "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea." Paul wants us to KNOW, to experience, the reality of our inheritance.
Third, Paul prays that we know the greatness of the power of God toward us. It is power so great that it can overcome death. It is power so great that is raised Jesus from a grave and placed Him above everything we know about and everything that we can't even imagine. That power is at work ... even when I don't get my way.
Chapter 1 closes with the beautiful picture of the church as Christ's body, the fullness of Him. Exploring that fabulous metaphor will have to wait for another day!
I pray for you today ... that you may know Him more ... that you may celebrate the inheritance we share ... and that you may experience the greatness of His power working in your life, right now.
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