Wednesday Morning
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
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Morning Reflection:
The church is his body;
it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
– Ephesians 1:23 –
In today’s reading, Paul has moved from praising who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (vs 1:3), to praying that the church might grow in wisdom and understanding of the “incredible greatness” of God’s power given to us in Jesus Christ, the head of all things, for the benefit of the church which is his body.
I recently read of a several high-profile pastors/teachers who have fallen away from the faith and denied Christ. The author posed the question: “If this is happening in public, how many low-profile pastors have fallen away privately but labor on in unbelief because they need a job?” It’s a sad state of affairs for them, but worse for the people in their churches; they don’t know who they are in Christ, or the power God has given to all who believe in Christ.
This is why Paul’s prayer speaks to us today, as the devil prowls this world seeking those whom he can deceive and destroy. Consider again Paul’s praise and prayer –
+ Praise: God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms – not simply the temporal blessings of this earth and this life, but the eternal blessings of heaven. We are God’s holy people – his rich and glorious inheritance.
+ Prayer: That God’s holy people would appreciate the spiritual blessings they already have and grow in intimacy with God through faith and trust his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Morning Prayer Pray for Your Church
- That your pastors/teachers may be protected from the wiles and deceit of the evil one.
- That together you may grow in wisdom and understanding of the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ.
- That together your relationship with God may grow deeper and fuller through faith in Jesus Christ.
- That together your hearts would be flooded with the light of God’s Word and the insight of God’s Spirit.
- That together you would live confidently in the hope God has given you in Christ.
- That together you would understand the greatness of the power God has given you – resurrection power, enthronement power.
- That together you would gladly yield to the authority of Christ who is head over all things for the benefit of the church.
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“Build my life” – Housefires
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Closing:
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
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