Pray Scripture - Ephesians 1:1-2
"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me." - C.S. Lewis
Ephesians 1:1-2
Prayer Focus: Hallowed Be Your Name
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus
by the will of God,
To the saints in Ephesus,
the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflection Questions:
Do you understand your Christian identity as solely defined by the will of God? Surrender any sense that it is self-determined or self-achieved.
Are your acts of faithfulness singularly based on your faith in Jesus? Name and replace any other motivation with simple faith in Christ.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Father, thank you for revealing the excellency of your name. Like Paul - an apostle by your will alone - we are your children by your will alone. Like Paul, our former ignorance once made us enemies of the cross. Even so, you have called us from the darkness of our former ignorance and into your marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 1:13, 1 Timothy 1:13, 1 Peter 1:14, 2:9
For the sake of your name, give us that obedience of faith which belongs to those who belong to Jesus. Cause us to fulfill your will by crucifying our sinful flesh along with its evil desires. For according to your will Christ bore our sins so that we may die to sin and live to righteousness by faith. Thank you for sanctifying us as your holy people in Christ.
Romans 1:6, Isaiah 53:10-11, Luke 22:42, Acts 2:23, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 1:2
Sustain our faithfulness for your own namesake. May we be faithful even unto death despite Satan’s fierce persecutions. By Jesus’ triumph over the fear of death, preserve us for the crown of life through faithful perseverance. Since we are in union with Christ - the King of kings and LORD of lords - keep us faithful even if our faith is put on trial before officials and leaders.
Psalm 23:3, Revelation 2:10-11, 17:14, Matthew 10:18
Reflection Questions:
What was it like when you first received grace and peace from God?
Have you forgotten your great need for more of God's grace and peace?
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Abba, sanctify your name as the God of all grace and peace. You are the eternal one who was, and who is, and who is yet to come. So give us your grace and peace once again, just as you already have. For we need more today and we will need more tomorrow. After suffering a little while longer, we know you will restore us and make us strong. Your grace is sufficient for us, for your power is made perfect in our weakness. So, God of peace, be quick to crush Satan’s head underneath the feet of your Church. We believe that the gracious presence of our Lord Jesus Christ is with us to do this.
1 Peter 5:10, Romans 16:20, Revelation 1:4, 1 Peter 5:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 16:20
As we call upon your name, we believe that only your grace is sufficient to empower us in our present weakness. We confess that only your peace can keep our hearts from being troubled and fearful. So make us remain in the grace and peace of Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. May the knowledge of his truth and love multiply your grace and peace within us.
1 Corinthians 12:9, John 14:27. Revelation 1:5, 2 John 1:2, 2 Peter 1:3
Father, remind us of your triune name into we have been baptized. Pour out afresh your Spirit of grace as we look to Jesus who was pierced to bring us peace. Thereby, may the peace of Christ rule in our hearts to set our mind on the peace of your Spirit. May we be like the apostles who received the resurrected Christ's other-worldly peace, his breath of the Holy Spirit upon them. Then, having shared afresh in your Holy Spirit, keep us from insulting your Spirit of grace. In our daily moments of desperate need, draw us near to the throne of grace upon which Christ sits and before which your Holy Spirit waits.
Matthew 28:19, Zechariah 12:10, Colossians 3:15, Romans 8:6, John 20:21-22, Hebrews 6:4, 10:20. 4:16, Revelation 1:4
Prayer Prompts:
A renewed understanding of our identity in Christ by the will of God alone.
Christ-centered faithfulness in our local neighborhood.
More conscious dependence on grace and peace from the LORD.
Keywords to guide continued prayer: Grace and peace
Challenge to Share: Let someone know what God's grace and peace means to you. Explain how grace and peace in Jesus Christ makes you a faithful saint. Invite them to consider God's will to provide a Christ-centered purpose in their life.
Carter. I love this so much. The Lord used you and His powerful word today to cut deep and bring to revelation a sin of self that has been paralyzing me lately. Thank you for being obedient to His call and writing these reflections.