When my kids were little, I made a habit of reading a verse or short passage of Scripture with them when I woke them up. It was a quick and easy way to value God’s Word together. And I did keep it easy. I used around five of my favorite passages over and over again. I didn’t worry about being repetitive because I knew hearing the same verses week in and week out would help them hide those verses in their hearts.

One of those passages we read was a prayer, Paul’s prayer at the end of Ephesians 3. I love this prayer. I’ve prayed it not only over my kids but also over many others. I’ve even prayed it over myself.

As we prepare to start 2023, a year when our church family will focus on prayer, I encourage you to read Ephesians 3:14-21. Study this prayer. Notice the values that Paul reveals in his requests. Notice what he prioritizes.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

How could you use this prayer to set your priorities for the New Year?