Did you know it takes inner strength, power even, to be a Jesus follower? To live life anew, holy, is not an exercise in weakness, even if meekness is its yield. This paradox is because to be people who walk daily in the presence of the Father requires a “boldness” and “confidence” that is not self-willed, but “realized in Christ Jesus…through our faith in him” (Eph. 3:11-12). But, if we are honest, there are times when we “lose heart,” lacking the strength to live out of the “power at work within us.” Our lack is not unique to our time and place in history; rather, it’s been a reality of our faith lineage from the beginning. So, let us bow our knees before our heavenly Father for one another this week, just as the apostle Paul did for his faith family (Eph. 3:14-21). Let’s pray.
Because we lose heart…we bow our knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, including our faith family, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant us to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ Jesus may dwell in our hearts through faith—that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints in our city, nation, world, and throughout history, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ Jesus that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to be him be the glory in the Church and our church, and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.
Amen.