What fills us? What fills our cup, our days, our lives? What fills our souls, rejuvenating them for another day? When we are empty, where do we turn? When every door is closed, where do we look for direction? When anxieties threaten our minds, where do we run? Whether or not we do, we should run into the arms of our Father, for He is truly the one who is enough. He is the only one who can give without ceasing.
Whatever is holding us captive, Ephesians 3 provides us with direction. Paul, the author of the book, is imprisoned at the time he was writing his letter to Ephesus. Determined to use his life and voice to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, Paul was arrested because of his faithfulness to the Lord, but also because of his work with the Gentiles. Though his current situation was trying, he continued to be a witness for Christ. Ephesians 3:14-21 are the words he lifts up in prayer for the Ephesians.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family [a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV)
Looking deeper into this passage that Paul writes in Ephesians, it is important to note how Paul begins his prayer. He “kneels” before the Lord, completely surrendering in a posture of prayer. He submits to the Lord. He bows, addressing the Lord expectantly yes respectfully. He demonstrates his belief by emptying himself, and choosing to look heavenward, empty enough to receive and be filled with the Spirit.
Then, Paul turns to worship. A continuation of his reverence for the Lord, he speaks to who He is. He addresses the aspect of lineage and states that all, in Heaven and on Earth, “derive” their names from the Lord. This communicates a sense of belonging to the Ephesians that Paul is writing too. He humbles them in front of the Lord, preparing them to hear his prayers, but also honors the Lord, providing an example of submission.
Verses 16-17 are the petitions of Paul’s prayer. He continues to worship as he makes his requests, asking for strength and for the Spirit of God to enter in. He prays that through faith, God will dwell in the lives of the people to whom he is writing. Paul is struggling in this period in his life. Yes, his faith remains intact, but he awaits judgement in jail. Instead of relying on himself and looking to other worldly things to fill him up during this time, he turns to the Lord expectantly in prayer. Paul knows that through Him, he will find redemption and peace.
The next two verses, Ephesians 3:18-19, shift the perspective. Paul prays for understanding. He prays that his friends could grasp how great their God is. In a display of faith, Paul speaks of how “long and high and deep” the love of God is. He prays that his friends would lean into and seek the Lord’s blessing, for it can truly be filling. Paul realizes that we, as humans, could never truly grasp the vastness of this love, but he prays that we would accept it and empty ourselves enough to have space to receive it.
In conclusion, Paul writes what is often used as a benediction in today’s church. Again, he lowers himself, and recognizes the power of the God he serves. He does not pretend to understand or claims that he has the capacity to comprehend the greatness of the God he serves, saying instead that the Lord can do “immeasurably more” than anyone could ever ask of Him. Paul follows with the fact that as Christians, we have this power and the Spirit of the Lord in us. He gives all glory to God and finishes with “Amen.”
This prayer, though written millennia ago, is still one worthy of being prayed today. Struggle, hurt, brokenness, and emptiness are still prominent in today’s world. Let these verses be a reminder of the power of the Heavenly Father. Let these verses prompt us to humble ourselves before Him, kneeling, and allowing Him to fill us with his strength and peace, as only He can.
Works Cited:
“Bible Gateway Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21 – New International Version.” Bible Gateway, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A14-21&version=NIV.
Buckwalter, Jason. “Ephesians 3:14-21.” A Plain Account, 14 July 2021, www.aplainaccount.org/ephesians-314-21/.
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