Friday July 1, 2022

Today is Friday, July 1 and we are exploring chapter three of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

I am here to meet with God. I take a few moments to still my wandering thoughts, relinquish my nagging worries and rest in the comforting presence of my Lord.

Pause and Pray

Dear Lord, I treasure these precious moments with you at the beginning of my day. I know that you are with me amid all challenges and concerns. I place complete trust in you in all the circumstances of my life. Speak wisdom and guidance to me. Amen.

I put my confidence in God and praise him for his goodness with the words of Psalm 27.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14

Pause and Pray

Even though Ephesians teaches about a hostile realm that works against believers, Paul reminds readers that we can enjoy boldness and confidence to challenge any negative worldview or adverse spiritual force. No hostile power can separate us from God, we are not at the mercy of the demonic realm, certainly not. There is no reason to lose heart during seasons of uncertainty, suffering or persecution. Suffering is part of the Christian life. God does not say we will escape suffering but he does promise to bring perspective, comfort and hope in the midst of it. Writing from a Roman prison cell, Paul highlights his own suffering in this week’s final verses.

In him (Jesus) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:12-13

In Christ, I have access to a holy God. My sins are forgiven, I am set free from death and given new life. Through faith in Jesus I can approach God’s mighty throne with assurance and confidence. Without Jesus I remain lost in original sin and separated from God, regardless of my personal efforts at living a good life. With Jesus my sins are completely forgiven and the slate is wiped clean. I can approach God about any subject. Whatever my current situation, the challenges I face, the troubles I bear, the concerns I carry, the worries I withstand, the trespasses I continue – I lay them at the foot of the cross. I walk the road with Jesus and he is with me every step of the way.

Ask: What would I consider my current sufferings? How confident am I about approaching God with every thought, feeling and emotion?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord, thank you for loving me so much that you invite me to approach your throne with freedom and confidence. I place my trust and faith in your son Jesus. I lay my sins and sufferings at the foot of the cross and set my burdens down at the base of the throne of heaven. Let me not be discouraged, but allow my challenges and struggles to be used for your glory. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

In him (Jesus) and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. Ephesians 3:12-13

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?

Pause and Pray

Every word of scripture is a holy avenue for God’s conversation to reach the ears of my heart. I listen attentively to what God might be saying to me through these two brief verses from Ephesians. How might these words speak to the current state of my soul or the struggles of the upcoming day? Maybe God wants me to have more faith in his Son, or approach him with greater confidence. Perhaps God does not want me to be discouraged or lose hope. Maybe he intends to use my current suffering for the good of others or to shine his glory. I keep track of God’s words to me in my journal and reflect on them throughout the week.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I approach your mighty, gracious throne with confidence. I am grateful for the opportunity to share the intimate details of my life and the worries of my heart. I invite you into every aspect of my current situation. Join my present circumstances. Accompany my daily activity. Be my constant companion as I undertake the details of everyday life. Amen.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

I do not leave this time of prayer alone, I walk with the God who loves me. I seek to bring him glory in the way I live my life and the way I show his love to others.

Amen