Saying thanks is Our Prayer
“… ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe…” Ephesians 1:15-23
When I read this passage, I wonder how often we are thankful for the people God sends into our lives. I know how easily I can forget to pray and tell people what I am grateful for. Practicing genuine love includes giving thanks to our heavenly Father and the people around us.
When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, his main objective was to explain the church's role as God’s instrument to bless the nations. Yet, against the backdrop of this monumental task, Paul remembered to express his gratitude to the ordinary believers in Ephesus. He prayed they "may receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation" to follow Christ in purpose and mission.
Have you ever prayed for others in that way?
I am reminded that our prayers are not void of power or meaning. Our prayers are a weapon to help the church break through the barrier of hopelessness and despair. We need the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to break the power of sin, division, and death.
That work, made possible through Christ’s sacrifice, can be started by sharing simple gratitude with the people around you. The work of all praying believers, with their spiritual gifts and levels of action, builds up the church in hope. Laying the groundwork on the relational level can be as simple as appreciating those who walk alongside you.
Today, I encourage us to pray intentionally for those in our proximity and peripherals. Believe in the power of your words, whether in your personal prayer time or shared with a neighbor. Your words of prayer have the same power "as the mighty strength [God] exerted when [God] raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms." Choose to believe in the power of your words so that they will bless you, your neighbors, and your community.
The peace of Christ is with you,
Luis R.
Simple Church Discussion
Read Ephesians 1:15-23 and take a moment to be like Paul. Share why you are thankful for each person and pray for those present at the gathering. This can be done immediately, or you can include a segment of listening to God for each other.
Listening to God, or listening in the spirit, is a great way to become mindful to hear God's voice and receive guidance, often through a quiet, contemplative approach to prayer, rather than only speaking to God. In this case, listening to God for each other can be a time to understand what God would say to the people in your gathering.
Once you listen to God, focus on one person at a time to receive gratitude and prayer. Do this until you’ve prayed and shared your gratitude with every person in the gathering.
