Day 5: The Eyes of Your Heart
Bible passage: Ephesians 1:15–19; Psalm 43:3; James 1:5
Going Through the Motions
Today is Sunday 5th of January 2020. Welcome to Day 5 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we set our hearts on God. Today we ask Him to open our eyes.
It is possible to be a Christian mostly from memory. We know the language. We say the right prayers and avoid the wrong words. From the outside everything looks fine. But on the inside, faith has become a set of facts we agree with, and it no longer changes how we live. We drift into routine and hardly notice.
Paul knew that believers need more than information. So he prayed.
Paul’s Prayer
Wisdom and Revelation
Paul tells the Ephesians that he has not stopped praying for them. He asks the glorious Father to give them spiritual wisdom and insight, so that they may grow in their knowledge of God (Ephesians 1:16–17).
He is not asking for a new set of facts. These people already believe. He is asking that they would know God Himself more deeply. That kind of knowing is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
Hearts Flooded with Light
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light.” Ephesians 1:18 (NLT)
Paul wants them to see three things that are already true:
The hope of His calling. God has called you, and He has a future for you.
The riches of His inheritance. You are precious to Him, and you belong to His people.
The greatness of His power. The power at work for us who believe is the same power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19–20).
None of this needs to be created. It needs to be seen. A room can be full of treasure and still be dark.
Light and Truth to Lead Us
The psalmist prays in the same way. He asks God to send out His light and His truth, to guide him and to bring him to the place where God lives (Psalm 43:3). Only God’s light and God’s truth can be trusted to lead us, because they lead us to Him.
Ask
James adds a simple promise. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:5).
Praying for Open Eyes
Three Steps for Today
Be honest about routine. Where has your faith slipped into habit? Tell God, and ask Him to wake you up.
Pray Paul’s prayer. Pray Ephesians 1:17–19 for yourself. Then pray it by name for three other people.
Ask for wisdom. Where do you need God’s wisdom this week? Ask Him plainly, and watch for His answer.
Prayer for Today:
Glorious Father, give me spiritual wisdom and insight so that I may know You better. Flood my heart with light. Let me see the hope You have called me to, how precious Your people are to You and how great Your power is towards us who believe. Send Your light and Your truth, and let them lead me to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
See every day of this guide on our Prayer & Fasting page.
Let us pray with you: send a prayer request.
Join one of our prayer meetings.
