How Should We Pray?

DAILY READING

Ephesians 3:14-21

DEVOTION / REFLECTION 

Deep and Wide

by Elaine Pierce

When I read this passage, I think of the children's song I learned long ago at a neighborhood VBS. I'm guessing you know it, too:

Deep and Wide,

Deep and Wide,

There's a Fountain flowing 

Deep and Wide

I suspect it's based on verse 18 - certainly the 'deep and wide' part is, but I don't know where the fountain reference came from (although there are lots of references to 'fountains' in scripture - here are a few.

Paul, the author of this short book who wrote to the new church in the city of Ephesus, is giving his audience a vivid picture of who God is. As we begin a summer sermon series on the Lord's Prayer, this description of God is a good place to start. Yes, his love is deep and wide, like a fountain overflowing. Look at what else Paul says about God:

• He has glorious riches (v. 16)
• He is one with the Spirit and with Jesus Christ (v. 16-19)
• His love surpasses knowledge - deep, wide, long and high (v. 18)
• He can do immeasurably more than we ask him or even imagine (v. 20)
• We will give him glory forever!(v. 21)

And that list isn't exhaustive, but it is a good start. As we pray to God, the Lord's Prayer starts us off with "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." These verses in Ephesians give us context for the hallowedness of God. We have the privilege of praying to a God who can do more than we ask him, and a God who will reign forever. There is no greater joy. 

Kneel, like Paul did, and come before God with reverence and awe - what a delight and a joy to pray to our Father.  

Give Him Your Wildest Dreams

My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Ephesians 3:14-21 (MSG)

Some days the wording in the Message Bible is eye-opening and beautifully put. Often when I come across a text in my usual version and I recognize it as one I have read many times, I can't quite hear what God might be saying on this particular day because it is so familiar. To get a fresh take on it I will often go to a different version and study the words.

I was attracted to verse 20 this morning. "God can do anything, you know -- far more than you could ever image or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Don't those words give you an excitement to get this day started? I am inclined to pray this verse over my entire prayer list and then walk away trusting that God has got this covered.

There is nothing too big on that list - nothing from my wildest dreams - for God to handle. And what seems wild to me is tame to Him. This week, let's ask God to do what He does best. Love and care for us, every one of us!

Ephesians 3:14-21