THE POWER OF PRAYER

A divided people—seems like a headline from today's news doesn't it? Superior ideologies, created walls, customs, traditions—all divisive and unfortunately blinding many to God.

Jesus reconciles us to God in one body through the cross. It's not about tradition, or custom, or a work of the flesh. Jesus did the work. He suffered what righteousness demanded. He's the superior One. God's choice was to do what He knew we could not do. And in doing so He brought to Himself the most unlikely of people, like: Jacob the deceiver, Saul the murderer, Peter the fisherman, Rahab the prostitute, Ruth the immigrant, Jena the controller, and you, what about you?

See my last post, The Power of Reconciliation, on Ephesians 2:15-22

https://www.jenarainonesmith.com/post/the-power-of-reconciliation

God, through Paul, wove our redemption story into this letter to Ephesus. He split it in two: the first half so beautifully lays out our identity in Christ, how we move from death to life in Him, and more importantly God's grace and gift of salvation that He extends to everyone by faith—(not an action, but a response).

Here we are, Chapter 3, the last chapter of the first half of Paul's letter. He begins with one of the many beautiful prayers in scripture.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—Ephesians 3:1; Paul pauses here and injects a parenthetical thought that runs through verse 13, before resuming his prayer in verse 14. He begins with his credentials so to speak;

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. (Ephesians 3:2-7 NIV)

God revealed Christ to Paul, and opened his eyes to the mystery that the extension of His grace was meant for all people, who through the Gospel, have equal standing in Christ. This mystery was hidden until now—now being after God revealed His Son. Paul was given the awesome responsibility to deliver God's grace to the Gentile people. God was uniting all people, Jew and Gentile, in one Body, Christ.

Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. (Genesis 18:18 NIV)

Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. (Ephesians 3:8-9 NIV)

I love Paul's humility in verse 8. Do you feel that way—less than all the Lord's people? Most would say we shouldn't, but I disagree. Before Paul's Damascus Road moment (that's where he met Jesus), he was a murderer, yet God still chose him. Paul never seized in his amazement of the grace given him. In all the ways God used Paul, he never looked at himself or his deeds as his own achievements, but in humility and in remembering who he used to be, he focused his eyes instead on the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Like Paul, the memories of my past did not disappear when I met Jesus. Yes I am washed clean by His sacrifice and no words could ever express my gratitude, but I still remember the person I was. I often think of her. Sometimes I find it difficult to believe that God would choose to use me in such important work as His.

When I think of all this, I pray that I never forget who I was, so that I continuously remember what I was saved from; and most assuredly of the One who saved me, and to my amazement, Whom He saved me for. Now without question, in the inevitable wrestling match in my flesh, I'm reminded that it's only by my moment by moment dependence on Him that I can accomplish anything.

His [God's] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. (Ephesians 3:10-13 NIV) emphasis added

WOW! Imagine the angels, both good and bad, watching God's plan unfold through His beloved. He didn't tell the angels what He was doing. I wonder how they felt looking on as God created man in His image; and even more as He chose the Church to unveil that He would actually come and indwell him. This was God's eternal plan from the beginning. The angels watch as we become the temple of His Spirit. Can‘t you just see heaven‘s angels in awe and fallen angels in panic?

They [the prophets of old] were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. (1 Peter 1:12 NLT) emphasis added

Because of Jesus, we come boldly before the throne of God's grace with freedom and confidence; and to Paul sharing this Good News was worth the sufferings of any obstacle in his way.

What's in the way of God's plan for you? Do you let your past keep you from God or does it push you toward Him? Jesus paved the way for you to come; warts and all.

No matter where you find yourself today, come back next time as Paul bends his knee on your behalf; may his prayer seep deeply into your soul.