Ewald Schmidt

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,  and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)

This prayer of Paul brings us to the heart of the Christian gospel. He prays that the eyes of every heart will be opened, that we will experience God’s mighty power, working in the life of every believer. It is only by the strength that God gives that we are able to break loose from our old lives, and to follow Jesus. But just how powerful is the strength of God, working in us?

In his prayer, Paul states that the power of God in our lives is the same mighty strength he exerted when he raised Jesus from the dead. This remains the heart of the gospel. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:14 that our faith would be without foundation if Christ had not risen from the dead. I know this remains the one stumbling block to belief for so many people. How can somebody who had died, be raised from the dead and live again? In 1 Corinthians 15:6 Paul refers to more than 500 reliable witnesses who saw Jesus alive after his crucifixion. In the Roman courts of his time the testimony of 3 reliable witnesses would have been enough to win the case. For some this remains unbelievable. Over the centuries it has been a reason for great joy in the lives of many Christians. Jesus has overcome the power of death, he has risen, and he is our living Lord!

The point that Paul makes in this prayer, is that God used his mighty strength to raise Jesus from the dead. That is the foundation of our faith. Paul prays that our spiritual eyes may see that mighty strength of God also working in our lives, transforming us, empowering us to live and glorify him. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says a little more about this subject, that Jesus’ resurrection also made our victory over death possible. Christ has risen, and his followers will also follow him through death, to an eternal life. Here in Ephesians 1 he prays that we will discover the hope of the calling of Christ in our lives, and that we will be encouraged by the richness of the inheritance that Jesus has gained for us through his victory over sin and death.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are alive. Thank you for the mighty strength of God working in me, transforming me, and guiding me onwards to my destiny in you. Amen.