David Bahn – Reflections

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, ¹⁶that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, ¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The purity of desires expressed in this prayer is a refreshing shower of grace, goodness, favor and blessing. Whether by television ad, talk radio pundit, social network craze, or cultural groundswell, we are bombarded with new temptations, distractions, opportunities, and recommended delights. Here, however, are pure desires, good aspirations, noble hopes and godly petitions.

So easily we fall prey to prayers shaped only by the urgent crises of life. God delights to hear our prayers and petitions – all of them. When we pray for healing from cancer, for a rebellious teenager, for a new job, or for wisdom in decision-making God hears and answers. He never grows weary of such prayers. But our souls will become smaller, weaker, and more hardened if our prayers are shaped only by the most obvious and urgent needs of which we are aware.

Here the love of Christ, faith, inner strength, deep understanding, a spiritual depth and fullness are the focus of Paul’s prayer. With these we are more alive, more thankful, more faithful, more fulfilled, more at rest. With these we are less tossed back and forth by every wind of culture shift and whim of self-centered desires. We will certainly still pray for healing, for wisdom, for a wayward family member, or better employment; and God will hear those prayers. But when we are pray for these things within in the larger context of God’s grace, love, fullness and glory, these prayers take on a richer patina of maturity, shaped by purer motives.

Such prayers will express delight and praise to the God who can do more abundantly than all we ask or think. He will be glorified – as it should be, now and forever.