May 10 Praying Scripture

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in Heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
 
AS Paul has just reminded us that in our faith we can truly have a confidence and boldness in God’s power, he now says, “For this reason I bow my needs before the Father.” Because of this faith-driven boldness and confidence, Paul tells the Gentiles he faithfully goes to the Father for them. He boldly believes the Father will strengthen each believer with God’s power and glory.
    Indeed, this is a strong, transforming prayer. If you are looking to pray for your family, your friends, your enemies, your church, your nation, and others, and you ask yourself, “What do I pray?” then I encourage you to pray this Scripture over them. You can do so as you insert the name of the one(s) for whom you intercede. Hear now my prayer for you:
    “Father in Heaven, because of my faith in you, I bow my knees before you, from whom every family in Heaven and on earth is named. I pray that according to the riches of your glory you may grant your faithful servants who are seeking you to be strengthened with power through your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in each servant’s heart through faith. I pray that your faithful follower, being rooted and grounded in your love, Father, may have strength to comprehend with all other believers the breadth and length and height and depth of your love. I pray your servant knows the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that your servant may be filled with all the fullness of God. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
    Each time I have prayed this, God’s Word has personally touched the person or the group. The Spirit seems to immediately begin to answer the prayer. My great hope is you feel the Spirit opening your heart to your Lord in new, loving ways. I pray you pray these words over those God places before you. I pray you will boldly and confidently anticipate what he will do with your prayers.