Reflection:  Sometimes all we can do as God’s people is pray – it expresses who we are (dependent upon him) and it displays who he is! Paul can do little else in jail. But, more than this, his prayer focuses on the Ephesians knowing the one who has given them a new identity – that is the ‘title’ of the prayer in verse 17. And only God can reveal God. This knowledge has three parts –the hope of God’s calling (vs.18), the identity of God’s people (vs.18), and how significant God’s power is (vs.19). If there is any doubt about whether we can know this God, just look at what he has done in history through Jesus (vs.20-23). Now, prayers can often seem a little distant from the substance of everyday life. How might this prayer affect the way you consider yourself, as you drive home from work, see the family, eat dinner, and wake up?

Question:  How might you use the content of this prayer to pray for three people you know this week?

Prayer:  Dear Father, thank you that you reveal yourself by your Spirit, in your Son and in your Word. Help me to know you more deeply, know my identity more completely, and appreciate your power more fully. Amen.