Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 21, 2015
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18
The fervency of my prayers for others is an indicator of my heart’s condition. If I am nonchalant and unengaged in my petitions for people, my spirit is probably distant from the Holy Spirit. Prayers of faith for friends to have faith keeps my faith hot for heaven. So, I have to be intentional to slow down and seek the face of God on behalf of my family and friends. I pray their hearts will receive clarity from Christ about His calling on their lives. The Lord’s will is bountiful riches waiting to be experienced by God’s people. Prayers for others bring clarity to my own heart.
Why does Paul pray for the Ephesian Christians to know the hope of their calling? Hope facilitates faith. It produces love. It takes the allure out of temptation. It comforts sorrow and anticipates answered prayer. Hope is heaven’s reminder to remain faithful for there is much more beyond this life. Hope lives obedient in the present and trusts God with the future. Paul knew if they cherished hope their praise and worship of the Lord would be uninhibited and full of glory. Like a microscope, hope sees the Spirit at work in minute ways and like a telescope, hope is able to focus on the vastness of God’s handiwork. Prayerful clarity comes from trust in Jesus.
“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Perhaps your prayers of clarity for your child include their college, career and calling. Help them to seek understanding about their giftedness and passion. Career Direct is an effective online assessment we’ve used with our children. God’s vocational will normally aligns around an individual’s interests, energy and what they do well. Pray for the Lord to send mentors into your child’s life who are good examples of a spouse, parent and Christ follower. Prayer brings clarity.
Most of all, pray for others to seek clarity from their heavenly Father in their own prayer life. Our faith walk with Jesus facilitates sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading. When we are still, we are able to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. When our heart is dialed in to God we know what to do next. We trust Him with the next right thing and we wait patiently on future decisions. Clarity comes to Christians who wait on Christ. Eyes of the heart are able to see the Lord’s heart.
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray the eyes of my heart and others will be enlightened by You.
Related Readings: Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 5:8; Luke 2:30; Romans 8:28; Colossians 1:27
Post/Tweet this today: When we are still, we are able to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. #clarity #wisdomhunters
Check out Boyd’s new book: Two Minutes in the Bible Through Proverbs (replaces current Proverb book with 50% newer content) to be released August 1st by Harvest House Publishers. Preorder on Amazon.
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