How did you learn to pray? In most traditional you learn set prayers repeated word-for word. We don’t normally do it that wat, but set prayers can be helpful, especially if they are scriptural. They can also be used as models when we don’t pray them word-for-word. If we want to invigorate our prayer life the prayers of Scriptures have a lot to teach us about God’s priorities in prayer.
Through the whole OT, especially the Psalms and the Prophets, we see that the nations would eventually worship the God of Israel. But though we get any number of hints about Jesus and God’s desire to reach all nations that they might praise Him, we are never clearly told how this would ever come about. In the NT we finally find this out. Jesus, after his death and resurrection, goes to back heaven, the Holy Spirit comes in His place, and God begins building His church.
Barriers. Think of all the things that divide people: Age – generational differences, appearance, education, political persuasion, economic status, race or other ethnic tensions, theological views. Today’s passage shows us how all these barriers are removed in the cross. More importantly, the barrier between God and us is removed, giving us free access to the presence of God Himself.
Jesus said, “You must be born again.” In this section of Ephesians, Paul highlights the meaning and extreme importance of conversion – the new birth.
Central Reflections 