For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. 

Ephesians 3:14-16

Do you know what time it is?  It is time to kneel humbly in prayer.  It is time to pray fervently without ceasing.  It is time to pray with utmost reverence, and it Is time to pray as boldly as Paul did in a moment of crisis.  It is time to pray that we might all be strengthened in our inner being.

Trapped in a prison cell and at a time of great suffering, Paul writes a letter to encourage the Ephesians. As a leader he knew that the young Ephesian church needed encouragement during this time of crisis.  His first action was to kneel before the Father of all.  Paul approaches God’s throne with a reverent spirit, acknowledging that he is the Sovereign Father of all in heaven and on earth, and is therefore in control.  Paul’s prayer is that God may strengthen the Ephesians in their inner being through the power of his Holy Spirit. He goes on to pray that they will be able to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep” the love of Christ for them is.

In keeping with this spirit of humility, Psalm 51:17 reminds us, that God will not despise a broken and contrite spirit. Indeed, it is the only way to approach God’s throne whether in crisis or not. However, at this moment in history, one would have to be living in a foxhole, not to recognize that we are all living in unprecedented times. Times that call all who believe to kneel humbly in prayer and intercede for inner spiritual strength for our families, our friends, our nation, and our world.

And as you pray for these issues, I pray that our Father in heaven will strengthen you in your inner man and help you to “grasp how wide and long and high and deep” is his love for you.  Remember this, no matter what surprises may lie ahead, God alone is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine.  So let us continue to focus on what we can do, and let God do what only he can do.