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Therefore, I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you and your love to all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of Him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the operation of the might of His strength, which He caused to operate in Christ in raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenlies, far above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come; and He subjected all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, which is His Body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all.

 

This is Paul’s first prayer for the Church in Ephesus at the beginning of Ephesians. I love this prayer and use it frequently during my own prayer time.

I once heard a message by Priscilla Shirer where she said we are often guilty of praying by just saying, “I pray for . . . “or “Please be with ... “She pointed out that the prayers in the Bible “have teeth.” She encouraged us to practice praying more specifically for people’s needs.

This week in my class on Peter, the instructor shared from Mark 3:14, “And He (Jesus) appointed twelve, whom He also named apostles, so that they might be with Him (emphasis mine) and that He might send them to preach.”

The instructor asked if we had ever considered that the very first thing Jesus wanted from us was for us to simply be with Him. Having trained myself to stop saying, “Please be with . . . “when I pray. I think I will now begin praying, “Please let (name) be with You.”

 

Lord, as Your Spirit abides within me and I am drawn to abide in Your presence, please keep me faithfully praying for my brothers and sister in the Body of Christ and in humanity. Let me participate fully with Your will in all that I ask. Thank You so much for calling me to be with You. I pray everyone would enjoy this same blessing. Amen.

 

Paula Barney

adminassist@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: For all to experience His presence.