A Prayer

Eph. 3: 20-21

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly that all that we could ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen

What a powerful prayer precedes this closing! Paul begins in v. 14 where he bows his knee before the Father. By sharing his posture before God, he is demonstrating the humility that all Christians should have when they come face to face with God. To make the realization of God's sovereignty even stronger, he refers to God naming every family in heaven and on earth. It is this sovereign God that all Christians must come to in an attitude of humility knowing that all we have is from Him.   

He prays that God, out of His great riches, will grant believers to be strengthened in their inner being. Without this strength [grace] that comes totally from God, Christ would not be able to dwell in our hearts through faith. He gives us the strength, the grace, the faith, and all that is necessary for Christ to dwell in our lives. 

Even though as believers, we are rooted and grounded in His love [because of Jesus], Paul prays for our strength to be able to comprehend the love of Christ, a love that surpasses knowledge. Jesus' love is not just a fact, it is a relationship. And even more than that, it is the way we are filled with all the fullness of God. How amazing is that! Can we ever comprehend fully the love of Christ? I am thinking that will be something that I grow into until Jesus calls me home, and I meet Him face to face.

Paul ends the prayer by circling back to the sovereignty of God, a God who can do abundantly more than we could ask or think. And how can He do this? Through the power at work within us. It is already here. Oh, if I could truly live with an understanding of this great power within me. He closes with the glory that belongs only to God. His glory is in Christ Jesus, who came to earth, died, was resurrected, ascended on high, and reconciled man and to God making this prayer a reality, and in the church, which is the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, the firstborn among many brothers, and  the body of believers. Certainly, it is throughout all generations forever, and ever. Amen.

Father,

I ask you to teach me how to understand the love of Christ. Help me to live according to the power at work within me. I give You praise for Christ Jesus and for the church. Thank You for so very much.

In Jesus,

Amen