20 Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the Messianic Community and in the Messiah Yeshua from generation to generation forever. Amen. (Complete Jewish Bible).***
I remember when I was a young child that my family and I went and watched the "Power Team"--amazing athletes that did various feats of strength to impress the audience. Bending thick iron pipes and breaking multiple boards at once were signs of their power and strength. Truly it was impressive. The catch for this team was their assertion that they did all this by the grace of God. Theirs was a Christian ministry; they prayed before each feat and concluded with an altar call. We didn't go up, and while I have my own issues with this spectacle, it has always stuck with me as fascinating. As a young child I was moved to think that the power of God could allow me to move mountains--or at least break boards. As an adult I am pretty sure that God doesn't care about my breaking boards or bending iron. However, I do believe that God does give us power. As the writer of Ephesians puts it, the power that we know comes from the Holy Spirit. While that power is not necessarily about doing physical stunts, it is power in knowing that we belong to Christ--now and forever! To be honest, that is much more impressive than some guys doing amazing things on a stage.
Lord of all strength, when we are weak, lift us up. When we are filled with your strength lead us to share you and it with the world around us. Empower us to be grafted in to you daily, so that we may witness to your work with faith and grace. Amen.
Justin A. Grimm '05
Director for Evangelical Mission Assistant to the Bishop for Next Generation Ministries, St. Paul Area Synod, ELCA St. Paul, Minn.
Ephesians 3:Prayer for the Readers
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,[Ephesians 3:14 Other ancient authorities add of our Lord Jesus Christ] 15 from whom every family[Ephesians 3:15 Gk fatherhood] in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (New Revised Standard Version).
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,[Ephesians 3:14 Other ancient authorities add of our Lord Jesus Christ] 15 from whom every family[Ephesians 3:15 Gk fatherhood] in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (New Revised Standard Version).
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The Luther Seminary
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Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United States
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