DAY 8
Pray for a Manifestation of His Power
week 2 - MANIFESTATION of his power
‘For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV
Day 8 - PRAY FOR A MANIFESTATION OF HIS POWER
‘For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name… that he may strengthen you with power.’ Ephesians 3:14-16
Last week, we focused on the apostle Paul’s first great prayer in Ephesians 1, asking for a revelation of the power we already have in Christ. This week, we turn to Paul’s second prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21, where we follow his example in praying for a manifestation of that power.
Prayer is crucial because it is the means God has ordained for us to experience what He has already provided for us in Christ. In Ephesians 1, Paul starts with a grand declaration of all that God has done for us and then prays for a revelation of this truth.
Paul’s phrase, ’For this reason’, highlights that his prayer is based on what has been revealed. Similarly, our prayers are most effective when rooted in revelation. This is why Christians have long found that regular reading and reflecting on Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, forms the best foundation for prayer.
Prayer should be both reverent and passionate. Interestingly, Paul mentions that he was praying in a posture of kneeling. Remember that he was in prison, so presumably he wasn’t kneeling for reasons of comfort! However, this was different to the normal Jewish way, where people prayed standing up. Without getting locked into the importance of postures of prayer – walking, standing, kneeling, lying prostrate and even on one’s bed are all commended in the Bible – there is something significant here. The fact that Paul is kneeling suggests both a reverence – a position of submission before God – and a passion or intensity.
It’s not enough for Paul just to say that he is praying – since all devout Jews prayed – but rather that he is praying ‘before the Father’. This is a privilege we have through Jesus Christ. We are not merely praying into the void but addressing a personal and loving God who is our Father (see Matthew 6:5-15). All of this continues to highlight the priority and privilege of prayer.
Let’s be encouraged that the Father will answer our prayers for a greater manifestation of His power!
DEVOTIONAL
by Simon Deeks
QUOTABLE QUOTE
“Prayer is not about changing God's mind, but about changing our own hearts and aligning our will with His. The posture of kneeling is a powerful symbol of our surrender and desire for His power to manifest in our lives.”
– Tim Chester - pastor and author
Prayer points
- Let’s take some time to find a posture before the Lord, that reflects our hearts of surrender and reverence to Him. As we come before him with thanksgiving and reverence, let’s ask Him for a greater manifestation of His power in our lives.
- Use today’s verse, or a favourite verse or passage, and let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, increase our understanding and revelation, and show us how to pray.
- Pray for a continual posture of surrender for our church family. That we may be a people who see His power manifested in our lives and spheres of influence as we fervently seek and honour Him.