Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way  

Read Ephesians 1:15-23.

Head

Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while he was in prison.  He’d heard about the faith of the church of Ephesus and how they loved the saints.  He wrote this letter to encourage them.  He says he never stops giving thanks for them.  He goes into detail about how he prays for them asking God to give them “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”  Verse 18-19 says, 
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength."

Followers of Christ could have felt defeated and discouraged during this time.  There was heavy persecution going on and one of the main leaders of the faith was in prison for preaching about Jesus.  However, the church of Ephesus was faithful.  They believed in God and loved each other.  I love that Paul goes into detail in his letter with his prayer for them.  He could have just said, “I’m praying for you!” or given the little prayer hands emoji (just kidding).  Instead, he tells them exactly what he’s praying for, which gives them a prayer they can use for themselves because his prayer is rooted in the power and love of God.

In verses 20 through 23, Paul explains more about the power of God in Christ.  God showed His power by raising Christ from the dead and placing him at God’s right hand in the heavens.  God put Christ as lord of everything and head of the church.  He says the church is Christ’s body.

What does this scripture tell us about God?  What does it tell about us?  

Heart

Did you know that you can ask God for wisdom and understanding of Him?  Every aspect of our lives would benefit if we had more wisdom and understanding of God.  We can also ask that our hearts be enlightened or made aware of who God is and His love for us.  Hearts enlightened can understand the hope of Christ’s calling, the amazing things He gives believers, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward believers.  All of these things are pointing to the power of Christ.  Life is hard.  We need the power of Christ.  Our strength alone is not enough.  We will never be enough.  We were never meant to be enough.  When we put our faith in Christ, He makes us enough.  God wants us to have wisdom and understanding of Him.  He wants our hearts to be enlightened.  We have to want it though.  He doesn’t force it on us.  

Are you ready to ask God to enlighten your heart?  

Hands

Write out Ephesians 1:17-19, replacing the pronouns (you, your) with your name so that it’s a prayer for yourself.  Say it out loud to God.  Then replace the pronouns (you, your) with someone else’s name.  It could be a family member, a friend, an acquaintance, or even an enemy.  Pray this for yourself and someone else every day for a week and see what happens.  It may help you make an important decision.  It may help you have more peace and joy throughout your day.  It may change eternity for whoever you choose to pray for.

Prayer: I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give (insert name) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.  I pray that the eyes of (insert name) heart may be enlightened so that (insert name) may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. In Jesus’s name, Amen.