A prayer life

How much do you pray for your own, those folks who mean so much to you?

I read a book recently that told of a pastor who kept the Christmas cards sent to his family each year and prayed for one of those families each week of the year. Wonderful idea that I have not incorporated but should.

Paul said this of his prayer for his own, "That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally ...."

Man. Whew. Wow.

Every time he thought of the church in Ephesus, in which this portion of his letter appeared, he praised God for its people, thanking the Lord for them, praying for them, asking specificially that they be made intelligent and discerning in KNOWING HIM PERSONALLY.

As wise as the wind, Paul didn't ask God to heal them, give them a new job or a new house or a new car, but to make them intelligent and discerning.

I believe it is almost a primer in how we should be praying for each other. Today take a few minutes to pray for me, for my churches, for my family, for the intelligence and discernment as we try to open heaven's gates (as it says in Revelation) and allow the Holy Spirit to pour down over us like a river from the throne of God. Pray that we be able to change our ways to become more effective in the spiritual battle over those who don't know Jesus but feel a tug at their hearts they can't place or understand.

Then, like Paul, pray this: (that) your eyes (be) focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!"

Endless energy, boundless strength from Christ and Christ alone. That's my prayer for you, the unknown and unheard from reader of these missives. God loves you so much he gives you endless energy and boundless strength. In today's lives, we need such.

That's a prayer life, friends. Invoke it. Soon and very soon.