praying effectively: Know the Hope of His Calling (Eph.1:3-23)

(Ephesians 1:3-23)  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:

- that according to the kind intention of His will, God chose us, blessed us,  and through Jesus' work on the cross were made holy and blameless, predestined to be His children, in His grace, to His glory and praise (1:3-6)

- that according to the counsel of His will, we are predestined with a purpose and an inheritance, to His glory and praise (1:7-12)

- that in Him, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit, guaranteed eternal life, to His glory and praise (1:13-14)

- that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened: so that we will KNOW the hope of His calling, realize the benefits and blessings we receive in the Lord, and rest in His surpassing greatness of power (1:18) 

Today's prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU ! ! !  This chapter is the best mind-blowing pep talk ever!!!  I am overwhelmed with Your love and generosity, which we do not deserve, and could never earn.  To be part of Your will is beyond anything we could ever hope for on our own.  Thank You for making salvation and eternal life with You possible, and for choosing us, and making us Your children.

Lord, work in the hearts of all believers so that we may be confident in You, knowing that by living in Your will, You have the best intentions for us.  May we be in constant counsel with You and Your word, so that we can carry out the purpose You have designed for each and every one of us.  Guide us in Your wisdom and power, so that we may be courageous in pursuing and living in Your will.  Amen.