Wednesday June 8, 2022

Today is Wednesday, June 8, and today we are continuing to pray through chapter one of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to be still, I slow down my breathing, and I seek to be more fully present with God in these quiet moments.

Pause and Pray

Holy Spirit, help me release my worries and distractions into your compassionate care as I rest in stillness with you. Amen.

I worship God, here and now, as I join with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 145.

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. – Psalm 145:1-4 NIV

Pause and Pray

We continue to prayerfully read through chapter one of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Paul once lived and preached the good news in this community but now he writes to them from far away – a prison cell in Rome. Paul reflects on the good report he has heard about their growth and he wants to encourage them to keep growing. He also wants to teach them to rely on the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, alive in each of them, as their source of light and life.

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. – Ephesians 1:18-19a NIV

I don’t often think about my heart having eyes, but Paul captures my imagination with that phrase, “the eyes of your heart.” It reminds me of a worship song based on this very scripture:

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see you. I want to see you.

To see You high and lifted up.
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love.
As we sing holy, holy, holy.
Holy, holy, holy.
You are holy, holy, holy.
I want to see you.

Paul has a great hope for the followers of Jesus in Ephesus and everywhere, even for me in this very moment. And so today, I receive his prayer for me, anticipating that the eyes of my heart will be enlightened to more fully know the hope I have been called to and the rich inheritance I have received through Jesus Christ and the incomparably great power of our glorious God.

Ask: How can I open the eyes of my heart wider to see more of God’s glory in this day? How can I open the eyes of my heart wider to reflect out to others the light of Christ alive in me?

Pause and Pray

Holy Spirit, help me notice a particular word, phrase or thought you want me to carry throughout this day as I slowly read the passage once more.

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. – Ephesians 1:18-19a NIV

Ask: What word, phrase or thought from this passage is God’s Spirit guiding me to notice? How will I carry it with me throughout the day?

Pause and Pray

Lord, help me look inward and pay attention to what you have led me to see and hear. I invite you to transform me in these moments so that I might reflect the thoughts and actions of Jesus Christ throughout this day. Amen.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Lord, as I leave this time of prayer, make me ready to be faithful to you in every way. Jesus, make me ready to serve others with your compassion and grace. Holy Spirit, transform my inner thoughts and motivations so that all I do, I do to please you. Amen.