Our Prayer & Our Duty
The new year has officially begun. There is much hope in the air, much optimism, and much eagerness; therefore, let us begin the new year with a prayer found in God’s Word. Let us read together the apostle Paul’s prayer for those believers living in Ephesus, and as we do, may we find ourselves there, in God’s Word, among the pages, verses, and words.
“I pray—
that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,
- so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,
- what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and
- what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
These are in accordance with the working of his strength of His might might which He brought about in Christ,
- when He raised Him from the dead and
- seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion,
- and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
- And He put all things in subjection under His feet,
- and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
In which you formerly walked
- according to the course of this world,
- according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,
Among them we too all formerly lived
- in the lusts of our flesh,
- indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind,
- and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
But God,
- bring rich in mercy,
- because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved),
- and raised us up with Him
- and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 1: 18-23 & 2: 1-7 NASB)
Jesus did not come to make bad people good. No.
Jesus came to make dead people alive through Him!
He is the One we praise for all that He has done.
Almighty God, Our Father & Our Creator & Our Savior is—
- Our Wisdom
- Our Healer
- Our Protector
- Our Guide
- Our Sustainer
- Our King
- Our Strength
- Our Redeemer
Despite whatever situation we must walk through in this new year, our internal peace is found in Him. We are promised this through His Word.
Thus, as the new year has officially begun & as we step into day one, we anticipate with much hope, much optimism, and much eagerness.
As Paul encouraged the believers at Ephesus with prayer, may we be encouraged as well. May we, who have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, receive with honor—certain “duties” we are to perform as we walk through the days of this new year & life God has given us to live.
- Let us pursue intimacy with God.
- Let us walk with God.
- Let us allow the Holy Spirit to direct our steps.
- Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities, workplaces, and houses of worship.
As we do, may we make walking with God our highest priority this year.
Let us, who call ourselves the children of God, be in God’s Word, among the pages, verses, and words—reading and performing the duties God expects of His children—
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us
- to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and
- to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
(The Letter of Paul to Titus 2: 11-15 NASB)
This is our Prayer & Our Duty.