Paul’s Prayer For The Ephesians

I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Ephesians 1:18-19

While the believers in Ephesus enjoyed the luxuries and wealth of a cosmopolitan city located on major trade routes, Paul was confined to a small room in Rome, under the constant watch of a Roman guard. But who would ever guess from Paul’s prayer that he was deprived of anything? Paul’s description of God’s power does not betray a hint of hopelessness. Instead, Paul speaks of the “confident hope [God] has given to those he called.” Paul’s future on earth was in the hands of Caesar. Yet Paul’s ultimate hopes weren’t set on this world; his hopes were set on heaven and eternity.

In your prayers, place your hopes on your eternal inheritance in heaven, just as Paul did. Pray that God might help you understand how powerful he is.

• Dear Lord, help me to understand the confident hope you have given to me . . .