Opened Eyes. Strengthened Hearts. · Sunday, September 20, 2026
Opened Eyes
Pastor Chris Officer · Ephesians 1:15–23
Hinge prayer one. Paul does not first ask God to fix the church's circumstances. He asks that the eyes of our hearts would see the hope, the inheritance, and the power already given.
Series prayer
Lord, open our eyes to what we already have in Christ.
Strengthen our hearts to live what we already are.
Verse from this message
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.
Ephesians 1:18
Thanks before requests
Faith in the Lord Jesus and love for the saints — that is what Paul has heard. Before we critique the church, we give thanks for her.
Three things to know
The hope of His calling. The riches of His inheritance in the saints. The immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. This is the first hinge of the series.
The same power
The power that raised Christ and seated Him above every name is toward us. Christ is head of the church. We do not invent a mission. We receive one.
For the table
- When you pray for Journey, do you mostly ask for circumstances to change?
- Where do you need the eyes of your heart opened this week?
- What would change if resurrection power is already toward you?
Practices
- Pray Ephesians 1:17–19 over one person in this church every day.
- Keep the weekly prayer where you will see it: open our eyes, strengthen our hearts.