Because 50 Day 46
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Today’s Prayer:
God, strengthen me with power through your Spirit in my inner being. Help me to know how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
Going Deeper:
One tip for studying the Bible on your own is to look for phrases or words that are repeated in a passage. These words often provide a clue to what the author is trying to communicate to his audience. When you read through the passage above, do you see any words that are repeated?
The word “power” is repeated three times in the passage above. The Greek word used is dunamis. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines the word as “(miraculous) power, might, strength.” The implication being that the power is not inherent within you, but rather is given by God. As Paul prays for the church at Ephesus, he prays that they would be strengthened with power through the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is your source of strength. Are you feeling weak? Pray that the Spirit might strengthen you. Are you discouraged or worn out? Pray that the Spirit may strengthen you.
The other word that is repeated three times in the passage is love. Paul prays that we would be “rooted and established in love.” The picture is of a tree that is planted in soil. The strength of the soil gives strength to the existence of the tree. Paul says that the soil of the Christian life is love. We’ve been planted and established in love. Do you feel rooted in love? Or has your soil been polluted with doubt, constraints, fears? Paul’s prayer (and our prayer today) is that we would know how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ. Spend time today praying the prayer above and ask God to give you more of his Spirit. Ask Him for greater power to love and live in love.