Strengthening The Walls of Your Soul
Strengthening the Walls of your Soul
The walls of the Temple as described in the Old Testament were apparently 3 to 5
meters wide, the thickest of any structure existing at that time. The constructors
wanted to depict the need for something strong enough to contain God’s glorious
presence. Paul has this picture in his mind when he launches into his prayer in
Ephesians 3. He had just been talking about the fact that now, after Pentecost, God actually indwells His people (Ephesians 2:20, 21). He has taken up residence in each believer and is no longer confined to just one building. Paul’s prayer is that the reality of God’s indwelling presence will impact believers at every level of their being!
Take a few moments to read through Ephesian 3:14-21. Let me paraphrase this prayer:
I pray that God will strengthen the walls of your soul (v.16), that you will increasingly
know that Jesus is always with you (v.17). I pray that you will be rooted and solid in the
love of God (v.18), that the reality of His love will continue to capture you, and that the
experience of God’s glorious presence will be more and more real to you (v.19). God can do it (v.20-21)!
Wow, what a prayer! We often feel weak and fragile as we attempt to follow Christ.
Paul provides a pattern for us to pray. In our weakness, we ask God to strengthen our inner person, our soul. He shores up the walls, expands our capacity to see God, and increases our awareness of His presence. Notice the invitation of the Triune God. The Spirit, Christ, and the Father are all present and at work in us.
Spend some time praying this prayer for yourself and the people you know, taking each
phrase and using it as a basis to pray so that the “walls of your soul” are strengthened!
REFLECTION
1. What word or phrase about what God wants to do in your soul today most
stands out to you?
2. Based on what you read in this prayer, what will it look like in your life as God
continues to strengthen the walls of your soul?
Ric Gilbertson serves as the Executive Pastor of RockPointe Church, in Calgary, Alberta.
Marsha Lyles.....BE BLESSED!
The walls of the Temple as described in the Old Testament were apparently 3 to 5
meters wide, the thickest of any structure existing at that time. The constructors
wanted to depict the need for something strong enough to contain God’s glorious
presence. Paul has this picture in his mind when he launches into his prayer in
Ephesians 3. He had just been talking about the fact that now, after Pentecost, God actually indwells His people (Ephesians 2:20, 21). He has taken up residence in each believer and is no longer confined to just one building. Paul’s prayer is that the reality of God’s indwelling presence will impact believers at every level of their being!
Take a few moments to read through Ephesian 3:14-21. Let me paraphrase this prayer:
I pray that God will strengthen the walls of your soul (v.16), that you will increasingly
know that Jesus is always with you (v.17). I pray that you will be rooted and solid in the
love of God (v.18), that the reality of His love will continue to capture you, and that the
experience of God’s glorious presence will be more and more real to you (v.19). God can do it (v.20-21)!
Wow, what a prayer! We often feel weak and fragile as we attempt to follow Christ.
Paul provides a pattern for us to pray. In our weakness, we ask God to strengthen our inner person, our soul. He shores up the walls, expands our capacity to see God, and increases our awareness of His presence. Notice the invitation of the Triune God. The Spirit, Christ, and the Father are all present and at work in us.
Spend some time praying this prayer for yourself and the people you know, taking each
phrase and using it as a basis to pray so that the “walls of your soul” are strengthened!
REFLECTION
1. What word or phrase about what God wants to do in your soul today most
stands out to you?
2. Based on what you read in this prayer, what will it look like in your life as God
continues to strengthen the walls of your soul?
Ric Gilbertson serves as the Executive Pastor of RockPointe Church, in Calgary, Alberta.
Marsha Lyles.....BE BLESSED!