Ephesians 1:17-23
Lasek eye surgery is a procedure using lasers to correct eyesight. What keeps some people from undergoing this surgery is fear of it going completely wrong and losing all sight. The prospect of losing vision is terrifying. For those who are already blind or very near to it, gaining sight would be nothing short of miraculous.
In ephesians, Paul is dropping theological truth bombs and stops to pray for the people reading. He prays that our eyes opened so that we me see and know certain things.
Before we get into his prayer, let’s look at Greek words that are translated to “know” in English. The New Testament uses two words that are translated this way.
Oida: this word is used when referring to just knowing facts. Intellectual knowledge.
Ginosko: this word is used to signify knowledge gained through personal experience. It implies an intimate knowledge.
Paul uses ginosko in this prayer. He prays that we gain personal, intimate knowledge. Paul prays for us to see and know four things:
Our hope … This isn’t the type of hope we’re used to in the world. Worldly hope has no certainty. I hope the Titans win the Super Bowl and the Predators win the Stanley Cup, but I have no assurance either of those will happen. Biblical hope has a certainty to it. We have hope that Jesus will return and we know it will happen. It reshapes how we live.
Our worth … We have received God’s love. Jesus endured the cross for us. We are set to receive a great inheritance. God sees us and puts an unimaginable value on us.
God’s power … God created the universe out of nothing. That is some great power. Yet there is a task He has done that displays even greater power. The resurrection, bringing life from death, is even greater. The Spirit accomplished that lives in us.
The finality of Jesus’ rule … The war is already won. Jesus wins.
Prayer is how we realize these things. Prayers helps us see the hope we have, the worth God puts on us, God’s power inside us, and the finality of Jesus’ reign. Prayer is how our hope is shown to us. Prayer is where we learn how much God values us. Prayer is how we tap into God’s power. Prayer where are comforted by the finality of Jesus’ rule.