Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

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.

Reflection

When we are out at our favorite restaurant, we enjoy the aromas that fill the room. Even after we leave, we often still find that aroma clinging to our clothes. When we catch a whiff, we are drawn back to the taste and texture of the things we ate. When we pray genuine prayers for life, we find that prayer fills us and others. Even after our times of prayer as we are doing other things, genuine prayers cling to our bodies, our thoughts, and our actions. The prayer that Paul is sharing with us is a prayer for life, the called life. It is a prayer that is rooted in the Father and reveals to us the extraordinary power available to believers to be able to accomplish far more than we can ordinarily ask or imagine. This comes by the Spirit in the fullness of God. This prayer tells us about God and His salvation and the One who uniquely defines us as we are living out our prayers.

Responding to the Transmission

Let’s declare each sentence in Ephesians 3:14-21 out loud. Unlike the passing of fads, fashion and fame, the prayers declare God’s glory throughout all generations forever and ever. Let’s pray that the truths from Ephesians 3 would endure in our lives.