The Power of Paul's Prayer

We have been looking at Paul's prayer from Ephesians 1. Today's blog will bring the closing segment of this three part study so be sure you go back for a couple of days and read the first two instalments again.  The prayer is found in Ephesians 1:15-23. 

We have noticed Paul's prayer has concentrated on three elements, for which Paul has expressed thanksgiving.  Those elements for which he is praying are seen in verse 18 and the beginning of verse 19.   I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. So there are the three elements in his prayer: the hope to which we are called, the riches of his inheritance, and the power which belongs to the believer.

Verse 19 continues: That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²² And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.  Remember, Paul is now specifically mentioning again the power of the believer, and expanding his description of that power. (Here's where it gets good!)

1. Paul says this power is the same as the strength he exerted when he raised Jesus from the dead. Paul emphasizes the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that is at work in the life of the believer!

2. Next, we learn the power that placed Jesus above all rule and authority is the power available to us as believers.

3. Then verse 22 lets us know the power that placed Jesus as the appointed head of the church is the same power which is working in believers. 

God's mighty strength is given to us as believers and when we recognize the magnitude of the gift of this power, we can understand the plan of God for us to be active in accomplishing God's will.  Spend some time considering these three areas where God's power is at work through you.  We must yield ourselves to God's will and become instruments of his power working in and through us. 

Praise God!  Through his great love for us we can know  "the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

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