Eph 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, (16) that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

Here we have recorded a portion of Paul’s prayer for the saints in Ephesus. Paul bows his knees in prayer. This posture is not always the posture we must take when it comes to prayer, but the posture of the heart is what really matters. Paul, in his humility, addresses the Father, whom he describes as the Father of all mankind. As he continues we see the amazing abundance he is asking on their behalf. He is asking the Father to strengthen with power according to the riches of his glory.

It would be one thing to ask for this “out of the riches” of his glory, but “according to the riches” of his glory is requesting that the Lord pour out on them in such abundance that it completely overwhelms them. I think of the story of the woman who gave two coins in the money box as an offering. There were many wealthy people who gave large sums from their abundance, but it didn’t compare to the amount the widow gave in her poverty. When God gives to us according to His riches, it is like the widow who offers everything. He is offering from His all and not simply from His abundance.

Paul knows that the church will need the strength of the Lord to withstand the challenges that they are going to face. Strength to endure, to serve, and to glorify Him. Paul recognizes that our outer man is wasting away, so He is truly beseeching the Lord to renew their inner being.

Today we encounter trials of various kinds. Simply standing firm in our faith and representing Christ to a lost and dying world can be a cause for us to lose heart or become weak and discouraged. As I read this prayer, I can’t help but be encouraged that the strengthening power we have in Christ through the Spirit of God is far more than we could ever muster up on our own.

Thank you Lord for giving me the power to get through the day and to be a beacon of hope and joy to the world I encounter today. You are so faithful to your Word and I pray today that all I do will bring you glory. Amen…