PRAY EVERY DAY - Day 13: Pastor Kjell Axel Johanson
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“For (God) chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.”
Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)
Your prayer life will go to a whole new level of meaning when you understand who you are in Christ. As a Christ follower here’s what the Bible says in Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV) about your new identity, “For (God) chose us in (Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.” As you pray to your Heavenly Father today, consider this passage meditatively. What does it say about you?
God chose you before the creation of the world! Your decision to receive the Lord Jesus was really in response to His choice. This is the mystery of Divine Election, and it’s all by grace!
He chose you to be holy and blameless in His sight! This was God’s purpose in choosing you so you may be an image bearer of His Son. How is that possible? Because Jesus Christ paid your sin debt on the cross. When God looked upon Jesus on that cross, He saw you and me. Now, when He looks at you and me, He sees Jesus! Jesus Christ took our sin so that, in exchange, we may take His righteousness! We are made holy and blameless in Christ!
You were predestined for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ! You and I were not born natural children of God. He was our Creator, but not our Father, until we were born again. The moment by faith you received the Lord Jesus as your Savior from sin, you were given the right to become a child of God by adoption! He literally chose you and adopted you to sonship through Jesus Christ! That’s why you and I may come boldly before the throne of God because our Father sits there!
He adopted you “in accordance with His pleasure and will – to the praise of His glorious grace, which He freely gave us in the One He loves.” Not only was it God’s will to adopt you, but it pleased Him to do it! Wow!
So, as you come before the throne in prayer today, this is my prayer for you from Ephesians 1:18 (NIV): “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.” You have a rich inheritance in Jesus! Come before Him in prayer with confidence! He chose you!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.