A series on Pauls’
prayers
(Click on the
link below to read the verses.)
Ephesians 3:14-21
[Paul was a
controversial figure in the first century church. But it could also be argued
that he was the most dynamic and influential apostle. In this series we’ll be looking
at Paul’s prayers and what he has to say to us today.]
“You can’t see
the forest for the trees”
In the Ephesian church, there was a large number of Gentile believers.
Because of this, Paul wanted to make sure that they understood that they had an
equal standing in the church. In doing so, he didn’t get so involved in the
details that he wasn’t able to see the big picture.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who
believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children.
Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because
they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and
mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this
Good News. NLT Ephesians 3
These thoughts prompted Paul to “fall
to my knees and pray to the Father”.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17a so
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
Through his prayer, the ultimate outcome that Paul
was looking for was this.
19 So that you experience the love of Christ, though it
is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the
fullness of life and power that comes from God. NLT
But, there’s this thing called life that keeps getting
in the way of experiencing the love and fullness of Christ. When we’re in the
thick of things, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees. The trees keep
getting in the way of God’s love.
However, in his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote that
nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor
any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NIV Romans 8
In the context of Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians,
the saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees” is a metaphor. The forest
is God’s love. It’s also the big picture.
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