#1379. I keep asking (4/11/25)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted, at present, every weekday) as we continue our Ephesians series: Ephesians - To the praise, for the purpose, in the power of God. 

In our last reflection we saw how, like Paul, may we faithfully notice, give thanks and pray for more of the work of the Spirit. Today, we reflect on the first three words of verse 17 : ‘I keep asking…’ These words are packed with meaning and challenge us deeply regarding prayer: 

Do we understand that persistence - to ‘keep asking’ - is vital if we are to see more of the work of God? 

You can listen to this devotional below

1. Prayer requires persistence

Paul shows us that prayer isn’t something we do once and then forget - it requires perseverance. Like the persistent widow in Jesus’ parable (Luke 18), some things must be brought again and again to the feet of Jesus. God invites us to ask, seek, and knock - not once, but continually. If some prayers remain unanswered, it may not be a “no,” but a call to persist in faith

2. We never stop growing in knowing Christ

Paul’s repeated prayer is that we would know Jesus better. This means our spiritual growth is never complete in this life. Knowing Christ is like diving into an infinite ocean - we’ll never reach the bottom. We’re called to be spiritual explorers, never satisfied with surface-level knowledge, always thirsting for more.

Have we become spiritually complacent? Let’s ask the Spirit to rekindle in us a deep hunger to know God more. 

3. Knowing God requires the Holy Spirit

Paul doesn’t just pray for information - he prays for the ‘Spirit of wisdom and revelation’. True knowledge of God is not natural or intellectual alone - it’s Spirit-given. Just as we need an aeroplane’s power to fly beyond our natural limits, so we need the Holy Spirit’s power to see and savour Jesus.

We were saved by the Spirit’s power, and we grow by His ongoing work in us. Knowing God is a supernatural journey, and we must continually depend on the Spirit to lead us.

Response

• How persistent are we in praying - for ourselves and others - to know God more deeply?

• Have we grown spiritually lazy or distracted?

• Are we asking the Holy Spirit daily for wisdom and revelation to know Jesus better?

Let’s never forget Jesus' wonderful promise to us:

Community Group Notes

This week is ’SIV’ Week, where we will give much more time to sharing and praying about how we are seeking to bring the gospel to our friends and community. 

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

THIS WEEK IS SIV (SERVE INVEST AND INVITE) WEEK.

What is SIV? 

SIV stands for Serve, Invest, and Invite. This is our very simple strategy to help bring our community to Jesus. We believe that God has placed us in relationships and in specific locations to be 'salt and light.' and to ‘fish for people’.  We can effectively bring people to Jesus by 'Serving' them - demonstrating the love of Christ in practical ways; by 'Investing' in the people to whom we feel the Spirit is leading us; and by 'Inviting' them into our homes by showing hospitality and inviting them to church events, to Alpha, and ultimately, inviting them to come to Jesus through the gospel. 

Along with a brief reflection on Sunday’s text, let's spend this time sharing, thinking and praying about how God wants to work through us to help our communities to come to Jesus. 

1. Our message from Ephesians 1:15-21, was:  Understand the Spirit’s work,  give thanks and pray for His work. Please read Ephesians 1:15-21. What, from this text, is helpful and inspirational in regard to growing in effectively bringing the gospel to our friends and community? 

2. Who are you regularly praying for to come to Christ?

3. Do you have any encouraging stories to share - how have you served, invested and invited? 

4. Do you have any plans for how you plan to serve, invest and invite in the places and to the people that God has given to you? Why not make a note so that you can pray and hold yourself accountable? 

5. Are you planning to, or could you, do anything together as a group?

6. Let's pray for ourselves and our community together. Let's pray for the particular people that God is putting on your heart. Let's pray for the Holy Spirit to empower and direct us in how to Serve, Invest and Invite. 

Note - a very practical thing to do, is to think about who you might want to invite to our upcoming carol service (7th December) and to sign up for carol singing (30th November).