“The story of God in Ephesians will change your life if you let it.”
So says theologian Mark D. Roberts—and I think he’s right. This slim, New Testament letter was written by the Apostle Paul as he languished in prison sometime around 61-63 AD. In that time, his thoughts wandered toward those he’d left behind in the church he’d planted at Ephesus.
“Grace and peace to you,” he wrote to his Ephesian friends, encouraging them to receive spiritual blessings, to be made alive, and unified in Christ. He prayed for them, taught about practical Christian living, and even rallied everyone to spiritual battle. Such a short letter—such monumental impact! So now, in the spirit of Dr. Roberts and with history on my side, I make a new promise to you:
This story of God in Ephesians will change your life—if you pray it.
Let’s begin…
What Is Ephesians and Who Wrote the Book of Ephesians?
Ephesians is an Epistle of the Apostle Paul. Ephesians is the 10th book of the New Testament and 49th book in the whole canonical Bible. One of the top themes of Ephesians is about unity. In the context of the book, unity between Jewish and Gentile believers. Ephesians has six chapters in all.
Day 1
It’s time for shoutin’, Lord! Praise to you! With grace and peace, you’ve blessed me in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ! You chose me, in Him, before the creation of the world to be holy…blameless…adopted as your child through Jesus. And you did it all for me, for free. Praise you, praise you! Amen!
From Ephesians 1:1-6
Day 2
Jesus, I’m in awe of what you’ve done. You redeemed me through your own blood. You forgave my sins and lavished on me the riches of God’s grace. You made known to me the mystery of God’s will and good pleasure—that all things will be brought together under one head: you. Thank you! Amen!
From Ephesians 1:7-10
Day 3
God, I’m finally glimpsing the truth: In Jesus I was chosen, predestined according to your plan for the praise of your glory. I’m included in Christ, able to hear and receive your gospel of salvation. I’m marked with a seal—your own Holy Spirit!—who guarantees my inheritance in you. I’m so grateful! Amen.
From Ephesians 1:11-14
Day 4
Paul is my example today, Lord Jesus. As he prayed, please give me wisdom and revelation to know you better. Open the eyes of my soul so I may know your hope, the riches of your glorious inheritance, and the experience of your incomparably great power. You are far above everything, in every way. Amen!
From Ephesians 1:15-23
Day 5
This is what I know today, God: I was once dead in my sins, when I followed the ways of this world. But because of your great love for me I’ve been made alive, raised up with Christ, recipient of the incomparable riches of your grace. Wow! Wow—and Amen!
From Ephesians 2:1-7
Day 6
Breathe this truth constantly into my heart today, Jesus: It is by grace I’ve been saved, through faith—not from myself, it’s the gift of God!—not by works, so I can never boast about it. Thank you, Lord, for this great gift. Amen.
From Ephesians 2:8-9
Day 7
I’ve heard it, and now I stand to say I believe it: I am your workmanship—yours alone! I’m created in Christ Jesus to do good works—the wonderful works you prepared in advance for me to do. This is an amazing privilege; thank you for giving it to me. Amen.
From Ephesians 2:10
Day 8
Heavenly Father, once I was separate from you. I was a foreigner to the covenants of your promise—without hope, without God. But you refused to leave me there. I was far away; now I’ve been brought near through the blood of Christ. I remember this today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
From Ephesians 2:11-13
Day 9
Jesus: You are my peace. In you I have access to the Father by one Spirit. With you as the chief cornerstone, I’m being built—together with all of God’s people—to become a dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. May you live boldly in me today. Amen.
From Ephesians 2:14-22
Day 10
Lord, here’s a mystery for me to pray into: Through the gospel, non-Jews are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I don’t think I understand that immensity of that mystery; help my heart to see it more clearly today. Amen.
From Ephesians 3:1-6
Day 11
Lord God, again Paul teaches by example. Like him, I’m a servant of your gospel by the gift of your grace given through the working of your power. I can share in the unsearchable riches of Christ. In him and through faith in him, I can approach you freely, with confidence. Thank you. Amen.
From Ephesians 3:7-13
Day 12
Today, right now Father, out of your glorious riches, please strengthen me with power through your Spirit so that Christ may dwell in my heart. May I have power, with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ—that I may be filled with the fullness of you. Amen.
From Ephesians 3:14-19
Day 13
God, you are able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. To you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen!
From Ephesians 3:20-21
Day 14
Oh God, help me to live a life worthy of your calling: To be completely humble and gentle. To be patient, bearing with others in love. I want to keep the unity of your Spirit through the bond of peace, living together in one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. Help me with this today, Lord. Amen.
From Ephesians 4:1-6
Day 15
Thank you Jesus. To me your grace has been given as you apportioned it. You’ve given gifts to us all so that the body of Christ may be built up. Help us to speak the truth in love and to grow up in you, as your church builds itself up in love, each part doing its work. Amen.
From Ephesians 4:7-16
Day 16
It’s tragic, Lord. Some people are darkened in their understanding, separated from your life. They’ve given themselves over to sensuality, indulging every kind of impurity and lusting for more. I don’t want to live that way! Re-create me, Jesus, make me new in my thinking to be like God in true holiness. Amen.
From Ephesians 4:17-25
Day 17
Holy God: Today in my anger, don’t let me sin. Guard me so I don’t give the devil a foothold in my thoughts. Grace me to work, to be useful and share with those in need. Guide my words to be helpful for building up others. And soften my heart so I may never grieve your Holy Spirit. Amen.
From Ephesians 4:26-30
Day 18
Dear Jesus, the temptation is ever-present: To be bitter and angry; to brawl, and slander others; to harbor malice in many forms. Get rid of that stuff in me! Make me like you instead: Kind, compassionate, forgiving others just as you forgave me. I trust in you. Amen.
From Ephesians 4:31-32
Day 19
Father, today I want to imitate you as a dearly-loved child—to live a life of love, just as Christ loved me. I want to avoid sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking. I want to be thankful—not someone deceived by empty words. Please guard my heart today. Amen.
From Ephesians 5:1-7
Day 20
Holy Jesus, once I was darkness. Now I’m light in the Lord! Grace me today to live as a child of light (in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), to continually discover what pleases you. Amen!
From Ephesians 5:8-14
Day 21
For these things I pray today: May I live wisely, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. May I understand the Lord’s will, avoiding drunkenness and debauchery, being filled with the Spirit, speaking Psalms hymns and spiritual songs. May my heart sing to the Lord, always giving thanks to God for everything. Amen!
From Ephesians 5:15-20
Day 22
All-wise Father, help me live this lesson with my family today: To submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Amen.
From Ephesians 5:21-33
Day 23
Dear Jesus, I am a child to some, both physically and spiritually. Help me obey my parents in the Lord, for this is right. I’m also a parent-figure to some, both physically and spiritually. Don’t let me exasperate my children, instead, may I bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Amen.
From Ephesians 6:1-4
Day 24
Dear God, today we must speak of slavery. Like the slave, I’m under the authority of some. Help me obey those “masters” with respect and sincerity, serving wholeheartedly as if serving you. I’m also master to some; may I treat those people equally as well, because there is no favoritism with you. Amen!
From Ephesians 6:5-9
Day 25
It’s shoutin’ time again, Jesus! Today, make me strong in the Lord and in your mighty power! My struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. Adorn my soul with the full armor of God: Truth, righteousness, readiness of the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and of course, prayer. Amen!
From Ephesians 6:10-18
Day 26
My prayer today is the same as what Paul prayed ages ago: Whenever I open my mouth, may words be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel , for which I am an ambassador. May I declare it fearlessly, as I should. Amen!
From Ephesians 6:19-20
Day 27
Lord Jesus, I want to pause and thank you for the life of Tychicus, Paul’s “dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord.” Without him serving as Paul’s messenger, I never would have heard the glorious truths revealed in the biblical book of Ephesians. Thank you the ministry of Tychicus to Paul—and to me. Amen.
From Ephesians 6:21-22
Day 28
Dear Lord, today please grant peace to my brothers and sisters in your family, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May grace be to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love! Amen.
From Ephesians 6:23-24
Sources:
Mark D. Roberts. The Story of God Bible Commentary: Ephesians (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016) 1.
Scripture adapted from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
Mike Nappa is a features writer for Crosswalk.com and a theology writer for Christianity.com. He’s also a bestselling and award-winning Christian author with more than a million copies of his books sold worldwide. Learn more about Mikey at Nappaland.com and MikeNappa.com.
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