Ephesians 1: 15-23
Brothers and sisters:
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Pray as Paul Prayed
What do you most often pray for? Financial concerns? A struggling marriage? Your kids? Illness? Job? School? It’s good to pray about these things. Today we get to learn about prayer from St. Paul’s own prayer life.
I bet that finding time to pray was difficult for St. Paul. He was hard-working, beaten, often unsure of from where his next meal would come.
For St. Paul, praising God easily turns into praying to God. Paul is moved to pray because he is passionate about God’s work in the lives of others. Notice what Paul does not ask for in prayer. He doesn't ask God to change their circumstances. Instead, he asks God to open the eyes of their hearts. Paul doesn't pray that the Ephesians receive something they lack; he prays that they will see what God has already given them.
An idea for the day - choose one person you normally pray for. Thank God for them. Ask God to open the eyes of their heart—that they may recognize God's presence, God's hope, and God's power already at work in their life. For just one day may we pray as St. Paul prayed.
—Jim Bozik is a permanent deacon and Associate for Pastoral Ministry at St. Peter Catholic Church, the Jesuit church in the Diocese of Charlotte, NC.
Prayer
Be kind to your servant that I may live,
that I may keep your word.
Open my eyes to see clearly
the wonders of your law.
—Psalm 119:17-18