Pray for Inner Renewal
. . . that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. . . — Ephesians 3:16
Where do you turn when you’re discouraged, depressed, or disheartened? Where do you turn when you could really use a pick-me-up? Some inner rest and refreshment? There are at least four places we like to run: sex, success, screens, or shopping. Maybe you run to one of these in particular or maybe, with a little reflection, you realize you turn to all of these things depending on the day. It’s not that these things are inherently bad, but it’s that they’re limited and fleeting. They may be able to provide a momentary boost, but that’s about it until the next wave of inner dejection washes over us with the timeliness and persistence of the ocean tide. However, according to Paul there’s a person we can go to who offers us incomprehensible, eternal, and superabundant renewal, encouragement, and nourishment for our hearts.
With his letter to the Ephesians, Paul writes to a group of Christians who were most likely discouraged, depressed, and disheartened by suffering. The Ephesians could sorely use some inner renewal, and encouraged hearts. So what does Paul do? Well, he prays for them. He prays to the mightiest Father who loves them and is near to them. Specifically, he prays that God would, out of his great love, resources, and might, strengthen, renew, and encourage their hearts through the Holy Spirit. Paul prays that the power of God would be applied to the hearts of God’s people by the Spirit of God, their divine Helper.
In John 14:25-26, Jesus teaches his disciples that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, would come to them to remind them of Jesus’s words. In 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:6, Paul explains that only the Holy Spirit can open human eyes, spiritually speaking, to behold the glory and goodness of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the only thing that can truly renew the Ephesian hearts, in this age and in the ages of ages, is a fresh sight of Jesus given by God through the Spirit. This is what Paul prays for, and so can we.
The discouraged, depressed, and disheartened don’t ultimately need romance, a new career path, some Netflix, or free two-day shipping. They need an inner renewal that only a clear view of Jesus can provide.
The discouraged, depressed, and disheartened don’t ultimately need romance, a new career path, some Netflix, or free two-day shipping. They need an inner renewal that only a clear view of Jesus can provide.
What is it about Jesus that brings such encouragement? We’ll aim to answer that next time. But until then: How can we pray when we’re discouraged, depressed, or disheartened? How can we pray for the people we love and care when they feel the same? We can pray to our mighty Heavenly Father who loves needy people and who draws near to the broken hearted asking to let us, to let them, see Jesus one more time. In the face of Jesus Christ God offers us inner renewal and encouragement now, and in the age to come. We can pray for it today.
