SEPTEMBER 15
Welcome back!
We’re almost halfway through our 30-day journey (September Prayer Initiative) together. I pray that The Holy Spirit is increasing your desire to intercede.
Today is a very special day in our family. We’re celebrating our son Caedmon as he turns 14 years old. If you see him at Echo Students this week, maybe you could wish him a happy b-day!
Our prayer today comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. It’s important to know that this letter was well-circulated amongst the early churches. It’s believed that perhaps this was Paul’s intent with this letter. He had in mind many different churches and believers when he wrote the letter.
Let’s read together. As you read, ask The Holy Spirit to open your eyes and increase your faith. Ask Him to help you see more clearly.
Ephesians 1:15-18 (NLT):
“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those he called- his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”
I love this prayer. It reminds me of a time I got lost. Actually, it was with Pastor Filipe and one other college friend. We were only 19 at the time, and we had gone for a great hike in upstate South Carolina. We hiked four miles to the top of a mountain. It was the peak of Autumn, and all the leaves were changing colors. It was a sight to behold.
Unfortunately, we lingered too long at the top of the mountain. In our hurry to get back down, we somehow got off the path. I was getting increasingly concerned that we might not get off the mountain. I was beginning to have images of my body being eaten alive by a bear.
Just before I gave up all hope, I saw a light. In fact, there were a few lights. Then we saw that it was one man with a bunch of headlamps. He told us he had hiked the mountain over 100 times. The light flooded my soul and increased my confidence that this was not the end!
The Holy Spirit can flood your soul with HOPE. I need that hope right now, and I know that so many other people around me need it as well. The Holy Spirit floods our hearts with the knowledge of God, which helps us realize what awaits us… A rich and glorious inheritance.
Let’s take a few minutes to join Paul in our prayers for those around us. Perhaps you could pray for the people in your Echo Group – that their eyes would be open today. Pray for your neighbors and people at your work.
Pray that God would fill your heart with hope, so that you can fill others with hope.
You might pray something like this…
“Holy Spirit, thank you that you give us HOPE. Today, please flood my heart with the knowledge of God. Help me see Jesus more clearly. Help me know His heart. Give me spiritual wisdom and insight. Help me be a source of light to those around me. I pray for my family, my neighbors, my co-workers. Shine your light into their hearts. Help me be aware of where you are at work around me today.
In Jesus’ name I pray! Amen.”
Tomorrow, we are going to continue with Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 1:19-21.
It’s a powerful one. You might want to read ahead today.
With love,
Pastor Andy
P.S. If you still haven’t gotten connected to an Echo Group, you can find one here! It’s a great way to stay connected during this crazy season.
Comment below with your prayers, reflections, and whatever is on your heart as we pray together today.
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??? There is ALWAYS hope. No matter what things look like from the outside. Thank you Jesus.
Happy Birthday to your son Caedmon! I hope you all have a wonderful day celebrating with him.
Your story of getting lost on your way down the mountain just shows that God is always watching over us. I had a similar experience recently where it seemed like everything I tried failed. It was one of those technology doesn’t like me days. I was just trying to get a Lyft back to my hotel and my phone internet wouldn’t work. I tried calling a cab and they called back saying they had no cabs available in the area and couldn’t help me (I thought to myself: this is just one reason cabs are going out of business). I finally was able to walk to a place where I could get internet to request a Lyft. It took me over an hour but I prayed and eventually things worked out. God challenges our faith every once in awhile to see if we still trust and call on him. Today I pray that newcomers to Echo will learn to trust and call on God when they are faced with challenges. He will always find a way to work things out on your behalf if you call on him.
Happy birthday Caedmon??. I love the prayers in the Bible. I use them on God’s Prayer Walk. After Prayer and Worship, Prayer Walk is meeting at front of north campus to Prayer Walk over north campus church and preschool at 12:15pm Wednesday. I hope you, othersand Stacey can come. Many blessings to you and everyone.
Thank you Pastor Andy for these devotions & reflections! This is one of Grace’s friends in Sydney, Australia. It’s been really encouraging following along with this series, thank you for sharing & publishing online so more of us can pray along with you all! Thinking of and praying for the US particularly at this time…