Ephesians 1:15-23 NKJV
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
INSIGHT
–As we celebrate the risen Savior this Easter, we are called to reflect on the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus has provided forgiveness of our sins, and His resurrection has released to us new life in Him giving us hope, spirit of wisdom, revelation in the knowledge of Him and realize the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. John 11:25 reveals to us that Jesus is indeed the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Him will live, even though he dies (John 11:25). This season reaffirms our faith in God and our hope of eternal life. The same hope and joy that the disciples had after the resurrection has been released unto us, as we sing, rejoice in the Lord always and again we say rejoice (Matthew 28:9, Philippians 4:4). We arise, we shine this season for the light of the Lord has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon us (Isaiah 60:1).
PRAYER
Dear Father we thank You for loving us. You are the our resurrected king. You are the resurrection and the life. You are the risen Lord, we arise and shine today, ours double doors are open in Jesus name. Thank You Lord for You loved this world so much that You gave Your one and only Son, that we might be called Your children too. Lord, may help us to live in the gladness and grace of Easter each day. May You make our hearts joyful and thankful for Your sacrifice on the cross. Let us have eyes that look upon Your grace and rejoice in our salvation. May You forgive us our sins and iniquities, and cleanse us with Your precious blood. May You break every delay in our lives dear Jesus. May You help us to walk in Your mighty grace and enable us to preach the good news to the world. What You began in us Lord, may You make it complete in Jesus name. May You grant us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You. May You enlighten the eyes of our understanding; that we may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power which You worked in Christ when You raised Him from the dead. We declare that we are blessed, we are delivered, we break forth, we arise, we rise, we are highly favored and take divine authority in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 28:6
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle Peter begins by praising God for His great mercy, which He has bestowed upon us through His death and resurrection causing us believers to be born again to a living hope in Him. The living hope that signifies a dynamic and enduring confidence rooted in the resurrection of Christ. Some religions and people base their hope in witchcraft, sorcery, idols and other gods like Buddha for Hindus, Zeus for the Greek, Jupiter for Roman’s, Allah for Islam etc. who do not offer eternal life. Jesus Christ took the keys to hades and hell, and he has won the battle over eternal death for all those who believe in Him. Unlike worldly hopes that may disappoint, the hope that Jesus offers is alive and comforting, providing believers with the assurance of salvation and future inheritance.
PRAYER
We love You dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us first. Thank Your redeeming grace giving us power to overcome the curse of sin and death. Thank You for Your repentance grace allowing us forgiveness of our sins and iniquities. We repent dear Lord Jesus on our own behalf, on behalf of our families, forefathers, communities, religions, churches and nation. May You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood dear Savior. We allow You dear Jesus to take charge of our lives, our families, work and businesses, assignments and purposes, future and the future of our nation. We need Your grace that delivers from every weakness, sickness, oppression, depression, delay, stagnation, and disillusionment. We ask for favor before You Lord and before men that You may raise our horns and set us free. May You help us and uphold us with Your righteous right hand, we need You. May Your grace engulf us, Your mercy cover us and Your favor accompany us every where we go. Whoever You set free dear Jesus is free indeed, may You set us free loving Savior. May Your resurrection power release unto us Your true salvation to us, our relatives, and brothers and sisters from other religions that we may all have eternal life. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forever more. Amen
Further reading: John 8:36
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
INSIGHT
–The grace of God is the foundation of salvation given to faith through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as He apportioned it (Ephesians 4:6). The grace of God has released unto us hope through God’s unmerited favor and not by our own works lest we should boast. God has empowered us in our diverse gifts and talents that enable us to do good works through Christ and for the glory of His name.
PRAYER
We exalt You our God and King. We praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day we will praise You. Every day we will extol Your holy name, forever and ever. Great are You Oh our Lord and King, and most worthy of our praise. Your greatness no one can fathom, great is Your faithfulness our Lord and King. One generation commends Your works to another, they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty. We worship Your holy name and give You praise. Abba Father our God, You have demonstrated great love for us, that when we were still sinners, You dear Lord Lord Jesus Christ died for us. Thank You for Your salvation grace upon us. We hope and trust in You dear Lord Jesus, may You renew our strength, so that we may soar on wings like eagles, we may run and not grow weary, we may will walk and not be faint. We honor You Lord and give You praise, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Romans 5:8, 2 Timothy 1:9-10
1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV
“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
INSIGHT
–What a comforting scripture to know that Jesus bought us at a price. The priceless death on the cross for our sins, which is not comparable to any other sacrifice that anyone else can give. He redeemed and ransomed us through His love offering us hope that we belong to Him. God calls us to flee from sexual immorality for our bodies are the temples of Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Jesus did not offer silver or gold but by His precious blood that rescues us from diseases, curses, depression, oppression, eternal death and all limitations.
PRAYER
We love You dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us first. What greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Thank You Jesus for laying Your life for us and for loving us so much. It is comforting that You have sealed our foreheads for we belong to You. Lord You have called us to lay our lives for one another through love and sacrifice, Your grace is enough for us. May You deliver all those who are depressed and lack their basic requirements. May You provide for all the street children, repatriate them back home and grant them a safe space to settle. May You secure us with Your blood from every danger and plan and snare of the enemy. May You deliver us all Your children from every sin and iniquity including sexual immorality which is sin against the temple of our Holy Spirit. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Further reading: John 15:13, Proverbs 31:1-7
Colossians 1:27 NKJV
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
INSIGHT
-The Samaritan woman at the well encountered Jesus and her life was transformed. The woman knew that the Messiah who is Christ was coming but did not perceive that it was Jesus Christ who was talking with her. Jesus confirmed that He is the Messiah who had offered her living water that springs into eternal life (John 4:13-26). Jesus Christ is our hope of glory and those who believe in Him are partakers of His grace and are filled with the Holy Spirit who fills us with His gifts and fruit and guides us into all things.
SUMMARY
The death and resurrection of Jesus gives us hope in our Christian faith. Assume a situation where Jesus died and never resurrected. Ephesians 1:15-23 amplifies our Christian values given to faith in the Lord Jesus and love for all the saints. Through these victories we receive the spirit of wisdom, revelation in the knowledge of God, enlightenment through the gift of understanding, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:15-23). This is reason enough to bless the Lord who by His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for us, for we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5). Jesus bought us at a price and calls us to glorify God in our bodies and spirits, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). It is by the grace of God through faith that we have been saved and this is not by ourselves but a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-10).
PRAYER
Lord You reign and are clothed with majesty. Lord You have girded Yourself with strength. The world is established and cannot be moved. Your throne is established from of old, You are from everlasting. Jesus You humbled Yourself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross. You are highly exalted and given the name which is above every name, that at Your name Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. May You open the flood gates of heaven and make it rain upon us. May You keep us in perfect peace for our minds are steadfast and we trust in You. May all Your promises for us come to fruition in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. May You grant Your true salvation to us and all people dear merciful Savior. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: John 17:11-12, Philippians 2:8-11