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Lenten Observations, March 12, 2026: Ephesians 1:15

 The subject shifts slightly in verse 15, from what we have already been granted to what Paul chooses to pray for in regard to the Ephesian church community. 

15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers

Two relative clauses follow this opening:

  • that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened
  •  that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 
  • [that you may know]  what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  far above all principality and ]power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Does this mean Paul prays this for us, too? We tend to assume he did, but perhaps we should pray for this ourselves. What strikes me more is that Paul's prayer is so intensely intimate, hopeful, gracious, and generous. Look at what Paul was and how he changed. This is no act or put-on. 

I so want this kind of human connection. I feel our age discourages it: it's toxic and codependent and has no boundaries and all that psychobabble. I would like to put my overweening self-care aside and care for another this much.

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