A prayer for blessings of encouragement to come from the Father toward those who serve the Son. As one calle to be a Barnabas Coach/Encourager, this is a particularly important text to hold dear. It is a daily reflection and prayer for anyone whose ministry includes encouragment. As Paul is a pastor to the Ephesians, and to all his churches receiving this circular letter, he writes to encourage and to let them know of his prayers on their behalf that they would be encouraged by God. So, Paul prays for them, and he tells them that he prays for them. Encouraging is both praying to God on behalf of another that God would encourage them, and also telling them that you are doing so. Paul’s prayer is that: [they] may be strengthened…with power through his Spirit;… that Christ may dwell in [their] hearts through faith; [that they would be] rooted and grounded in love;…. have the power to comprehend…what is the breadth and length and height and depth…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…and be filled with all the fullness of God.
LORD, how can I be an encourager today: to my family, to my friends, to my neighbors, to those you have called me to serve in the church and community? I ask you on their behalf to grant all these blessings tha Paul sought for the Ephesians. And that you would allow me to minister encouragement to them.