“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” Ephesians 1:18-21

We think of the heart as relating to our emotions, and this is partially correct. The heart is also the seat of thought as well as moral judgment. So, if Paul prays that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened,” he is asking that we become fully aware emotionally, intellectually, and morally. This awareness can only come through the illuminating work of Holy Spirit.

We need to be enlightened as to “the hope of His calling.” We who have responded to the gospel call did so to a call that precedes our existence (Ephesians 1:4). This calling leads us to His glorious inheritance - abundant, resurrection life in the coming age on earth. This hopeful calling provides encouragement and incentive for holy living today.

We need to be enlightened as to the greatness of God’s power. The prime exhibit of this power is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. If God’s power working in us is the same power that brought the helplessly dead Jesus back from the grave to immortality, imagine what that power within can do! Not only did the power of God raise Jesus from the dead, it has exalted Him to the right hand in the heavenlies, and has elevated Him far beyond all other powers and authority.

We could all use some divine enlightening today. No matter what we have grasped of God’s hope for us, and divine power, there is much territory yet to be explored.

I personally bemoan times of living as a spiritual pauper when His hope and power is available for me to live as a spiritual prince. Limited spiritual sight limits lifestyle. Carnal thoughts and habits override the compass of the heart when spiritual enlightenment is lacking.

It has lately been impressed upon me to pray for a fresh work of God’s Spirit. That fresh work begins with having the eyes of my heart enlightened. Until there is an overwhelming sense of the greatness of God’s plan and power, lukewarmness will prevail.

“Father, truly open the eyes of our heart that we might be fully aware in the depths of our being as to your great plan to exalt us in the coming age, and the power that will accomplish that, which is also working mightily within us today. May we truly see, and appreciate, as we never have before. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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