Pray with Confidence

“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory” (The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ephesians 3:6-13).

The apostle Paul, imprisoned for sharing the gospel, expresses here the revelation he received from God, that Jews and Gentiles are both part of the body of Christ and coheirs of Christ. He acknowledges his own humility and wonder that God would reveal this mystery to him (after all, before his conversion, he had murdered and persecuted Christians) and yet recognizes this joyous revelation is for the benefit of all believers. The good news, is that through Christ, we can go before God freely, with confidence and boldness. Christ is now our high priest, our sole mediator before God. This truth is for both Jews and Gentiles. Paul then models for us how to pray boldly as he prays for the church at Ephesus.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (The Holy Bible, New International Version. Ephesians 3:14-21).

Ephesians 3:14-21 is a passage to print out and hang somewhere in your home to memorize. When you aren’t sure how to pray, Paul has modeled for us how to approach God with boldness and confidence. Whether you are in the car on your way to work, folding laundry, washing dishes, or weeding the garden, you have the freedom to enter the Holy of Holies, to go directly to God in prayer, through Jesus.

To consider and to pray:

“Dear Father God,

Thank you that through Christ, I am a spiritual heir to all the blessings of Christ. I submit to you, God in reverence; you are the author and creator of heaven and earth. I pray that out of your glorious riches you would strengthen ________________________ with power through the Holy Spirit. I pray that you, Jesus, would dwell in __________________________(my, his, her, their) heart(s) by faith. I pray that __________________________, being rooted and established in love, will have power to comprehend the boundless love of Christ and to know this love fully, in (my/his/her/their) body, soul and spirit. I pray that ________________________ will be filled with the fullness of Christ, overflowing with your perfect love.

Thank you, Jesus, that you can do so much more than I even know to ask or imagine according to your resurrection power that is at work in my life and in this situation. I submit this person/situation to you, Jesus. You, alone, are worthy of all glory, today and forever.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen”

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