1 Thessalonians 5:23 – Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:14-21 – For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
This truth becomes even more telling when we look carefully at the “cause” for inner strength which Paul refers to in his prayer (Ephesians 3). A careful look reveals 7 vital causes for believers to model inner strength.
Because of the heathen (vv. 8,9)
The lost around us are watching to see how we live during trials. Our inner light should shine for them.
Because of the angels (v. 10)
Because angels do not experience salvation, we illustrate for them the power of Christ raised in us. We can give holy angels our reasons to celebrate and we can give the evil angels a reason to worry about their future. A victorious Christian witnesses of their judgment to come.
Because of the person who is struggling (v. 13)
What a joy when believers are set free!
Because of the family of God (v. 14)
What difference to fellowship in a church family filled with joy because they walk in reality and freedom.
Because of Jesus (v. 17)
If Jesus is going to be comfortable in our midst and feel at home with us, He needs to know that we know that He is enough.
Because of God’s glory (vv. 20,21)
The bottom line for everything about us on the inside and out is the glory of God. Remember God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The end of all praying is the glory of God. The end is not about us. It never was about us. Through our inner strength we give people glimpses of God.
Because of the children (v. 21)
The next generation needs to see the sufficiency of Christ in us if they are going to really embrace our faith and pass it on. Public performance without private reality is harmful to children. Gossip, arguing, complaining, critical spirits, fear, worry, love of money, love of praise, and secret sins of the flesh blur the power of Jesus to our children.
When we look at this list, praying for the inner man takes on a whole new value.
Remember Jesus himself speaks clearly about our joy in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”
Let’s pray for strength in the inner man.