If you’re like me, sometimes your prayers feel as stale as an old piece of toast. Maybe God’s not bored by your words, but you sure are. You want to pray for your kids, your friends or simply pray for yourself. But the words feel more like yesterday’s leftovers than fresh thoughts flowing from your heart.
When you’re stuck in a prayer rut, try using others’ prayers to refresh your own. The Psalms are great for that. But today I thought I’d share two prayers that Paul prayed for the Ephesians. You may find that they not only give you new words, but they also give you a new heart.
Enlighten the Eyes of My Heart
I give thanks to you, God,
in all my prayers.
I ask that you,
the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the glorious Father,
give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,
so that I may know you better.
I pray that the eyes of my heart are enlightened
in order that I may know the hope
to which you have called me,
that I may know the riches
of your glorious inheritance in the saints,
and know your incomparably great power
for us who believe.
Adapted from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-19
A Prayer for Inner Strength and to Grasp God’s Love
For this reason I kneel before you, Father,
from whom every family in heaven
and on earth derives its name.
I pray that out of your glorious riches
you will strengthen me with power
through your Spirit in my inner being,
so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith.
And I pray, being rooted and established in love,
that I may have power,
together with all the Lord’s holy people,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep
is the love of Christ.
Help me to know this love that surpasses knowledge—
that I may be filled to the measure of all your fullness, God.
Now to You,
who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine,
according to your power that is at work within us,
to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations,
for ever and ever!
Amen.
Adapted from Ephesians 3:14-21
Hopefully Paul’s prayers will refresh your own prayers. You can place them on the table to give new words to your family prayers before mealtime. Or use them to pray in your personal prayer time.
May He enlighten the eyes of your heart, strengthen your inner being, and may you grasp the love of Christ.
