Friday August 19, 2022

Today is Friday, August 19 and we are praying through the sixth chapter of Ephesians.

I praise God from whom all blessings flow! Holy Lord God, I have come here to abide in your enduring presence and rest in your precious love.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I seek you in the sacred stillness of the dawning day. With every breath I am reminded to inhale the goodness of your peace and exhale the concerns that trouble my spirit.

I praise the Lord, my king and my God, with the words of Psalm 10.

The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror. Psalm 10:16-18

Pause and Pray

Today we arrive at the end of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, completing our twelve week journey through this ancient epistle. Tychicus was a faithful friend and fellow worker of the gospel. He accompanied Paul on many of his journeys to establish churches. He is first mentioned in Acts 20:4 as part of a group traveling together with Paul. When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he wrote the letter to the Ephesians and then entrusted the letter to Tychicus for delivery. It is believed that Tychicus also delivered other letters – to Philemon, Colossae (Colossians 4:7-9) and Laodicea (Colossians 4:16). He not only carried the letters to the churches but brought them news of Paul’s welfare and provided them much needed encouragement.

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Ephesians 6:21-24

Tychicus was entrusted with a very important task for the kingdom of God. His mission was to trek 1250 miles across remote landscapes and rough terrain, likely traveling dirt paths on foot and crossing the Adriatic Sea by boat to reach the Christian communities in Asia Minor. What if he had not completed the journey or lost the letters? Where would we be without these letters today – thousands of years later. God has also called me to faithfully serve the kingdom in some way. My role is just as important as Tychicus – to share information, to fulfill my purpose, to encourage other believers and to love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ask: How am I fulfilling my God given purpose? Do I recognize the importance of my task in today’s world?

Pause and Pray

Blessed and Holy Lord, thank you for this journey through the letter of Ephesians. Thank you for Tychicus’ faithful service and for all those who completed their task to fulfill your kingdom work. Thank you for the encouragement Tychicus gave to the believers- I pray to receive his encouragement today and in turn give encouragement to others. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. Ephesians 6:21-24

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

As I look back over the last twelve weeks, praying through the six chapters of Ephesians, I consider all I have learned and the insights God has provided. How have I found encouragement through the words of Paul to live a life of faith and grow in Christian maturity? Perhaps God will send me to share good news with someone. Maybe God will ask me to encourage another believer. Perhaps I am to bring peace to my brothers and sisters in Christ. What is God revealing to me through these closing words of Paul – spoken to the Christians in Ephesus over two thousand years ago and spoken fresh to me today? What will I carry into my future?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart, life and circumstances. Come, like Tychicus with a message for my soul. Be the bearer of hope and harbinger of good news. Come, provide your encouragement and strength. Bring peace and love to my current situation. I am so grateful to be your follower and I love you with an undying love. Amen.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

I leave this time of prayer strengthened with the encouragement of the Lord; I go to encourage others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen