“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge– that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:12-21 (NIV)
Overwhelmed by circumstances? We are free to approach God confidently. So don’t be discouraged by the things we suffer or others suffer.
The great Apostle said this is why ‘I kneel before the Father.’ He was concerned that the Ephesian believers would focus on his sufferings and get discouraged. It is so easy for us to look at our circumstances and those around us who are struggling with personal issues and become disheartened or discouraged. The enemy would like nothing better than to keep us focused on such things. If he can achieve this, he will cause us to lose sight of the faith and confidence we have in God through Jesus Christ. Courage, dear friends, Jesus Christ our Lord has overcome the world, including our issues.
If you will permit me, I want to pray Paul’s prayer for you today.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. For all who read these words today, O God won’t you dip into your glorious riches and strengthen them with the power of your Spirit so that through faith Christ may live in their hearts. I pray that they will be rooted and established in love and will have power to grasp the vast dimensions of Christ’s love and to experience it to its fullest extent in God. I commit us all unto him who, by his power that is at work in us, is able to multiply and overflow beyond anything we can ask or imagine. I pray this in Jesus’ name and give him, our Lord and Savior, glory today in the Church and throughout all generations forever and ever! AMEN
Let us praise God for the freedom to approach him confidently and live for his glory,