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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Eph. 1:18-19 NIV
Heavenly Father, I love this passage, but apart from the work of your Spirit, and the corrective lens of the gospel, it’s impossible for us to see what you intend for us, your beloved children, to see and to experience.
So, indeed, Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Heal my shortsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism of my soul. I want to see all things from your perspective, including the three main things Paul mentions in this text, starting with (1) “the hope to which you’ve called us.” Father, I want to be filled and freed by hope. To see with eyes of hope enables us to recognize your heart and hand at work everywhere.
Nothing in the world is the way it appears to the natural eye. You are working in all things for our good, all the time, no exceptions. Father, I want to see this grand reality with 4D, High Definition, gasp-producing, 20/10 precision.
I also want to gaze upon (2) “the riches of your glorious inheritance” –that is, the measureless riches of your grace. In a world of fool’s gold, bling-bling, and wanna-be-riches, help me see through temporal “goodies” to lasting treasure. Free me from putting my hope in money, people’s approval, my place in the org-chart, earthly inheritance, what I drive, where I live, and what I wear.
Lastly Father, (3), help me know more of your “incomparably great power”—the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my heart. I want greater freedom to love others as Jesus loves me. I want thicker skin and a bigger heart. I want to compare less and be more content. I want to take things less personally and take the gospel much more seriously, and joyfully. Thank you for your outrageous generosity and kindness. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name.