For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of His glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all 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 Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV
Before you begin to pray, take a deep breath and quiet your thoughts. Focus on being in the presence of God. Thank God for hearing your prayers. Then reread the scripture for the week, Ephesians 3:14-21. Read it slowly, recognizing that God is speaking to you through His Word. If God puts something specific on your heart, pray about that today.
Thank. In the scripture this week, Paul prays that the church at Ephesus “be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Think about the idea that Christ dwells within you. Thank God for His love, that he cherishes you so much that He wants to dwell within you.
Adore. Let’s adore God today for His steadfast love. God loves us so much that He put into motion a plan to sacrifice His son for our sins so that He might be in a right relationship with us. Praise the Lord for His love!
Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.
So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.
Psalm 63:3-4
Confess. Thinking about God’s limitless love makes us realize that our own love has limits. Turn toward God and confess the times your love for others has fallen short. Remember that He loves you perfectly and will accept your confession and forgive your sins.
Others.
| CU Church: Pray that our congregation continues to become increasingly diverse and people truly feel that they are welcome. |
| Community: Pray for Illini Christian Ministries, that God is glorified through their work to restore and empower the families they serve. Pray that couples will be moved to volunteer as Parenting Partners. icmfamily.org |
| Global Church: Pray for Afghanistan again today. Pray for anything God leads you to, knowing that Afghanistan is among the most dangerous and difficult places in the world to be a Christian. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:35-37 |
Self. God is listening. He loves you. Pray for any specific needs that you or your family have.