“For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3.14-19
Paul doesn’t just act, he prays. In this segment, it’s all about praying.
He begins in v.14 saying “for this reason I kneel before the Father.” We kneel in prayer! We find him faithful. We go before God and we do so for many reasons. Reasons of faith, hope and love. Reasons for life, loving and deliverance. And he kneels not to an unknown God but to the “Father” from “whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Paul centers his prayer on the Father.
Then Paul prays again, but this time upon the need for strength. But this strength comes not from ourselves. That would be foolish to expect us to provide the strength. No, the strength comes to our bodies but through a spirit — The Holy Spirit who is in “your inner being.” And this prayer is very specific — the strength comes through the Holy Spirit but so that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Did you see how in just a few verses the Holy Trinity becomes the focus — Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
Thirdly, Paul centers his prayer on love and power saying, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power.” Power for what? “To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” And also, to “know this love that surpasses knowledge.” And finally for the purposes of being filled “to the measure of all the fullness of God.” That is incredible. Paul is praying for the church to know the fullness of God.
This week at Revive Youth Camp I felt the fullness of God. The Lord was growing and expanding my understanding. He was allowing me to experience him anew and to be prepared for the next season of ministry through the camps and retreats of Revive. It’s was a wonderful time in which not only I, but hundreds of campers around me felt God’s fullness and gained strength through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Maybe today you want to pray for this fullness and strength. Perhaps you need God’s riches now. Call upon the Lord for he is near.
“Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and for the ministry of your Word. Come now, Holy Spirit, capture my heart in your fullness. Allow me to find faith in your name and forgiveness in your blood. Guide me, lead me, show me your way that I might be filled with the measure of your love. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen