THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS

Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21

Key verse: 3:17a

NIV

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel(A) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(B) he may strengthen you with power(C) through his Spirit in your inner being,(D) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(E) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(F) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(G) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(H) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(I)—that you may be filled(J) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(K)

20 Now to him who is able(L) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(M) or imagine, according to his power(N) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(O)

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Prayer for Spiritual Strength

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom (A)every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to (B)the riches of his glory (C)he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit (D)in your inner being, 17 (E)so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being (F)rooted and (G)grounded in love, 18 may have strength to (H)comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and (I)height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ (J)that surpasses knowledge, that (K)you may be filled with all (L)the fullness of God.

20 (M)Now to (N)him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, (O)according to the power at work within us, 21 (P)to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 3:15 Or from whom all fatherhood; the Greek word patria in verse 15 is closely related to the word for Father in verse 14
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, Christ may dwell in your hearts (14-17a). Paul prayed that God may strengthen their inner being with power through his Spirit. Then Christ may dwell in their hearts. Outwardly believers are like sheep among wolves, but Christ dwelling in us is our source of life and strength. Let's invite Christ into our hearts to dwell with us. Second, power to grasp the love of Christ (17b-21). He also prayed that being rooted and established in love through Christ's dwelling, they may have power as a community to grasp the love of Christ. This love is wider than the universe, longer than time, higher than the mountains, and deeper than the oceans. This love is more than knowledge, and we need to grow in it and be filled to the fullness of God. He is able to do more than all we ask or imagine through this power. To him be glory in our church, in our generation, and for ever and ever, Amen!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, come dwell in my heart that I may know your love more and more.

One Word: pray for Christ to dwell in my heart