April 19, 2026
Assigned Scripture
Ephesians 1:15-22, 3:14-21
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,[a] 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[b] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[c]
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[a] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[b] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Group Response
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean for prayer to “work”?
When you hear that phrase, what comes to mind first, and how has your experience of prayer shaped that definition? - “Prayer helps us wake up.”Where in your life right now do you feel like you might be missing what God is doing?
What would it look like to pray, “Lord, open my eyes,” in that space? - Prayer as relationship, not just outcomes: Have you ever experienced prayer more as being with God rather than getting something from God? What made the difference?
- “Not just a prayer life, but a praying life”: What would it look like for prayer to shape more of your everyday life, not just a specific time or place? How might you step into that this week?
- Praying + acting: The sermon suggested that prayer isn’t meant to be used as a chance to ask God to do what you could do, but won’t. Where is that challenging you right now? Is there something you sense God inviting you to do as a prayerful action?
- The power of God as the love of God: If the power of God really is the love of God, how does that change your view of prayer? How have you seen God’s love show up in suffering or hardship?