Prayer For God’s Power & Love
January 2, 2023
Commentary
Paul tells how he kneels before the Father in prayer (v. 14), the One from whom all beings everywhere receive their life and direction (v. 15). Sadly, many Christians approach God selfishly in prayer, always asking, al-ways wanting more. They seek riches, healing, happiness, and success but often neglect the deeper desire to know God Himself. Paul reminds us that if our inner life is right, the outer life will follow. Those who isolate themselves from God’s family and try to walk alone cut themselves off from much of God’s power.
In this passage, Paul makes three key requests that every believer should pray for daily. First, to let Jesus rule my life through the power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 16–17a). This means strength in the inner person that comes through knowing God’s Word and relying on the Spirit. Paul also prays for depth—using three pictures: to dwell (Christ at home in my heart), to be rooted (nourished and stable), and to be grounded (firmly built on God’s foundation).
Second, to know and share the love of Christ wherever God takes me (vv. 17b–19a). God wants us to step out by faith and claim our inheritance (Phil. 4:13). Paul wants believers to experience the height, depth, length, and width of Christ’s love. When we truly grasp His love, we will naturally want to share it with others.
Third, to experience the very best that God has and never settle for less (vv. 19b–21). In position we are complete in Christ, but in practice we often fail to live in His fullness. God wants us to grow so that His power works in and through us to bring Him glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever.
Application
Do I pray mainly for comfort or for spiritual strength? Paul prayed for believers to know Christ’s love and live in His fullness. How can I let Jesus rule my heart and experience His power in my life today? I want to grow deeper in His Word, depend on the Spirit, and share His love with others so that God’s glory is seen in my life.
Ephesians 3:14–21 (NET)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he will grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ will dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you will be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Rich Man Gives Son an Allowance
Once there was a rich man who had a son to whom he promised an annual allowance. Every year on the same day, he would give his son the entire amount. After a while, it happened that the only time the father saw his son was on the day of allowance. … Continue