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)
Heavenly Father, I begin this day in Portland, Oregon, with a rousing “Amen!” to Paul’s prayer for his friends in Ephesus. Me too, Lord, me too—open the eyes of my heart that I might see more of your beauty, wonder, and grace. For the better we know you, the less we stay preoccupied with ourselves. The fresher our relationship is with you, the deeper our peace is, the quicker our repentances become, and the more joyfully we love and serve others.
So, Father, dazzle our hearts with insight into hope you’ve secured for us as your children. It’s a living hope, a hope of glory—an anchor of calm in a sea of chaos. Through Jesus, you delight to give us peace, encouragement, and assurance, on a daily basis… including this day. Hallelujah.
Never let us forget your commitment to complete the good work you’ve begun in us, and in the entire cosmos. Even as you’ve declared us righteous in Christ, you will make us fully like Christ, one Day. I wish I could magically accelerate process, for I’d love to be much more like Jesus than I already am. But your ways are perfect, your timing is Swiss, and you do all things well.
Lastly Father, as Paul prayed, thank you for making us your inheritance, as hard as this is to imagine. We’re your beloved treasure, present delight, and eternal joy. Nothing can separate us from your love, diminish your favor towards us, or silence you from singing over us. Whew! Make all this gospel goodness real—more real than ever, Father. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ merciful and mighty name.
