Inner StrengthSample

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name." Ephesians 3:14-15 (NIV)

In action movies, there is usually a hero fighting against evil. When the enemies realize they cannot get to him directly, they often target the people closest to him. As believers, we have an enemy simply because we belong to God, our Father. Our relationship with Him places us in the middle of a spiritual conflict.

This helps us understand why Paul says, “For this reason I kneel before the Father” (Ephesians 3:14). The reason reaches back to what he has just explained: Gentiles had been included in God's plan of salvation, and through the church, God's manifold wisdom was being displayed to rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. What looked like a victory on earth was also a declaration in the spiritual realm.

Paul's response is striking. He does not pray because things are going badly. He prays because things are going well. He understands that seasons of blessing can sometimes be more dangerous than seasons of struggle. When God is at work and His people are growing, it is easy to become comfortable and lower our guard.

The inclusion of the Gentiles was a wonderful privilege, but it also placed a target on their backs. The enemy opposes anything that displays God's wisdom and advances His purposes. That reality remains true today.

Paul's example challenges us to think about how we pray for others. Do we bring our friends before God in prayer? Do we regularly pray for fellow believers who share in the same spiritual battle? If Paul responded to God's blessings by praying for God's people, perhaps we should do the same.