Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. Eph. 1:15-18 (NLT)
Dear heavenly Father, I begin this day with a rousing “Amen!” to this prayer Paul prayed for his dear friends in Ephesus. Me, too, Lord, me too—open the eyes of my heart that I might see more of your beauty, glory, and grace. For the better I know you, the less I stay preoccupied with me. Indeed, the more robust my relationship is with you, the deeper my joy is, the quicker my repentances become, and the more ready I am to love and serve others.
Yes, Father, flood my heart with insight into hope that you have secured for us as your children—a living hope, a hope of glory, an anchor of certainty in a world of ebbing and flowing chaos. For as surely as you have called us to yourself, you have called us to hope. You have subpoenaed our souls to peace, encouragement, and assurance. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
You will bring to completion the good work you have begun in us. Even as you have declared us to be righteous in Christ, you will make us fully like Christ, one Day. I wish I had a magic gospel-wand to wave for accelerating that process; for I’d love to be a lot more like Jesus than I already am. I so wish there was a shortcut to sanctification; but there isn’t.
But this I know, and this give me roots and wings; you have chosen us to be your inheritance—we are beloved, treasured, and secure. As you contemplate our future together, you are at peace and full of joy. And that is enough for me, Father, that is enough. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.