Thursday June 16, 2022

Today is Thursday, June 16 and this week we are studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter two.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to become still. I silence my thoughts and center myself on the presence of the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am here to grow closer to you and to hear what message you have for me. Reveal more of yourself through these holy scriptures and speak to my heart today. Amen.

I praise the Lord who saved me with the words of Psalm 86.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead.

Psalm 86:12-13

Pause and Pray

To the church in Ephesus, Paul described humanity’s desperation due to original sin, spiritual deadness, and our need for a savior (Ephesians 2:1-3). He told them that out of God’s great love for us he redeemed us and that we are lifted from the depths of despair to a place of authority in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-6). This complete transition in the state of our souls is all to the glory of God. Under the Mosaic Covenant, the Israelites kept God’s laws to earn his favor. This way of living put emphasis on the works of man to the point that the Israelites often quarreled and compared who was keeping God’s commands the most faithfully. Once Jesus died for all man’s sins, God’s grace earned us favor and gave us the gift of salvation.

In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:7-9

My finite mind cannot comprehend what grace, what unearned favor, I have received as a gift of God. I know the sin that my soul carried and I have experienced God’s holiness. Only God could redeem me, therefore, I will spend my life praising his holy name. My faith in the one and only true Savior Jesus Christ brings me salvation, not anything I do. My own attempts to rid myself from sin fall short because I still live in this broken world. Now my actions are driven by a freedom to obey God as I get to participate in his sanctifying grace.

Ask: How am I tempted to make my faith all about me? What incomparable riches of God’s grace have I received?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, your kindness is unfathomable and the riches of your grace are incomparable. Thank you for the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. I reread the words from Ephesians and seek your message for me today.

In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:7-9

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

I quiet my mind and read the passage one more time and sit in silence. The Holy Spirit is with me in this moment.
I breathe out, releasing distractions. I breathe in his Holy Word.
I breathe out and let go of worries and anxiety. I breathe in life in Christ’s peace.
I breathe out and am free from striving. I breathe in and receive the gift of God.

Pause and Pray

Lord God, thank you for these moments we get to spend together. Help me to hear you speaking your truth to me for the rest of the day. Amen.

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9-10

I leave this time of prayer in awe of God’s grace, remembering that he does not stop sharing his loving-kindness with me.

Amen