For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:15-23
In Ephesians 1, Paul writes out a prayer that he is praying for God’s people. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ and found right relationship with God the Father through His sacrifice on the cross, this is a prayer for you.
There is a phrase tucked inside this prayer that is easy to read past but impossible to overstate:
Paul prays:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe.”
Paul is praying that we would fully understand, in our hearts and minds, the power that is at work in us.
And then, just so we don’t underestimate it, he goes on to describe what that power is. Go back and read the last half of the Scripture above, because Paul uses many words to describe exactly the extent of God’s power at work in our lives.
It is the same power that raised Christ from the dead… seated Him at the right hand of God… granted Him power over all rule and authority, power and dominion. It is the same power that appointed Christ to be head over the church, which is His body.
That power! That is the power that lives in us and Paul wants us to be enlightened to know.
Why does Paul pray that we would know that power?
Because it is God’s power, living in us, that enables us and equips us to live for Him in a fallen world.
It is that power that allows us to find strength when we need it most.
It is that power that allows us to overcome temptation.
It is that power that allows us to find peace when circumstances don’t provide it.
It is that power that allows us to persevere with hope when trials arise.
It is that power that allows us to share our faith.
It is that power that allows us to love others when they act unlovable.
It is that power that allows us to keep trusting God, even when His voice appears silent.
Too often, we live as though we’re powerless, as though the Christian life depends entirely on our own strength. But Paul reminds us: it doesn’t. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is alive and at work in you.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the power You’ve placed within me through Your Spirit. May I know it and rely on it today—however it is most needed in my life. Amen.