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FOR TODAY Read Ephesians 3:14-21. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 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, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. The book we know as Ephesians is one full of mystery and questions. Some believe it is a letter written by Paul to the church in Ephesus; some believe it to be a universal address to all the followers of Christ Jesus in the region around Ephesus; some wonder if it might have been a sermon. Why does it not include Paul’s usual personal greeting? Why does it speak so much about love and so little about the usual issues confronting the early church? Amid the mystery of these questions is this certainty: that power has been bestowed on all of those who call on God. God is not just with us; God is working through us. And the power working through and within us is the gift and grace of love. This is the source of our strength; this is the purpose of our life.
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION It is one thing to speak of the presence of God in our life, but what about the power of God? Take note of how many of our prayers address God as Almighty God. When have you known the almighty power of God’s love at work in your life and can you share that story with someone today?
In anticipation of the upcoming election, each day of this week we will invite you to pray an additional collect appointed from the Book of Common Prayer. A Prayer for Peace Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
STRENGTHEN
This third week focuses on the word strengthen. Soon we will gather virtually for our Jubilee revival. We hope it will be a time that we are strengthened as the people of God. Asking for strength is a testament of our faith; strength is not merely of our own, it is a gift from God. It can be so easy for us to give into worry, fear or despair; yet with God we pray for strength and look forward to wonderful things like our upcoming revival. Find all previous daily devotionals here