Main Reference: Ephesians 1:16, 17
A new year stretched before us promises endless opportunities to improve, to be better people. Many of our new year’s resolutions—read more, lose weight—express our inward focus. But what if we resolved to begin the year by turning our attention outward toward the good of others? We’d be imitating the apostle Paul, who begins his letter to the Ephesians by praying for them.
Paul begins by praying that the Ephesians would know God. That seems strange since the Ephesians were already following Christ, but Paul understood how important knowing God is. It is, as Jesus told his disciples, is the substance of eternal life (Jn 17:3).
Paul also knew that information about God is only part of the way we know Him. So he prayed for spiritual wisdom and revelation to understand the “mystery” of the gospel. All the knowledge, all the facts, about God’s work in the world make sense in light of God’s plan to redeem His people and creation. Paul now understands ‘God’s people’ means Jews and Gentiles alike, and he wants to make sure the Ephesians understand that, too. So he prays for them to see and understand God’s work not only in history, but also in their lives and community.
We can let Paul’s words guide us in praying for our own communities, that a spirit of wisdom and revelation would deepen their knowledge of God and the experience of eternal life.
