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We come to Ephesians Chapter 3 verse 14 – “For this reason I kneel before the Father.”

There are times when we can allow our imagination to inspire us spiritually.

Reading these words give rise to such comment.

Paul is writing to people who had come to real faith – he had seen it – he had been there – he knew them.

He deals with might and majestic themes in this letter – and he is also so personal when he speaks about his imprisonment. He had been limited and restricted physically – but he remains a servant of the Gospel. He preached and writes about the unsearchable riches of Christ – this inexhaustible wealth which is available to us from our Creator God through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

He has been speaking about God’s Plans and Purposes and Intentions – of how God was going to work in the world through the Church of Jesus Christ – and he refers to the intricate beauty of HIS wisdom.

Even when Paul is writing personally, he handles majestic and mighty themes.

He speaks about how we can approach God with freedom and confidence – and because he is imprisoned as a consequence of his ministry – he has this concern for those who might become discouraged – when they consider that this man of God, whom they truly loved and appreciated, was suffering because of his preaching and teaching.

“If a man like Paul is imprisoned then what hope is there for the likes of us?”

So he prays for these disciples. That was his reason for kneeling before the Father. Remember, there were Roman soldiers guarding him – what must they have thought? He is a prisoner in Rome – and yet he is kneeling before and His God and talking to his God.

What kind of man is this? What would they hear? How might they be influenced? They had never met anyone like this man!

We know that when disciples of Jesus heard Jesus praying they were influenced – and they wanted to pray like Jesus.

Paul’s prayer was an expression of selflessness. You take care of God’s things – and God will take care of your things.

Let your imagination take you into the Roman jail. We see a prisoner praying to the Lord of Lords – to the ONE who was Lord of the Emperor. He was the King higher than Caesar and yet, this prisoner had access to Him.

Front line soldiers are seldom the most refined of men – and these rough diamonds are hearing Paul at prayer – talking to God the Father – well that would be a knew language – God the Father. We know that some of these soldiers – these rough diamonds – were polished – and rescued by God.

Was it perhaps hearing this man at prayer?

Perhaps some of these guards had known little of the love of a father – and now they are hearing sentiments and sentences which were to have a profound affect upon their lives.

Many have said over the years – “Listen to other people praying – you will learn much about them – and maybe something from them! You will learn what is on their hearts – something of their concerns – and what they may not be concerned about. You may learn where they are in Christ. We all pray about those things that really matter to us.”

“Almighty God – hear my prayer – hear my prayers – private prayers and corporate prayers. Hear me in the Prayer Meetings – hear me when I pray alone – at my desk – by my chair – in bed – wherever and whenever I pray. Hear me as I pray for others – for those persecuted for their faith around this world – for those working with the homeless and the hungry – for those in positions of leadership and authority – hear me Father as I pray in Jesus Name. Amen”

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)