I pray . . . that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

— Ephesians 3:17-19

I was online with a group of women who have been my prayer partners for over 20 years. Weekly we meet on Zoom and bring each other up to speed on concerns and needs to be prayed for.

I was writing these devotions at that time, so I asked, “What does ‘the fullness of God’ mean to you?” As we pondered this together, we wondered what would change in our lives if we actually began each day by reminding ourselves that all of God’s resources and love and power are ours, regardless of what might unfold in our day. Would our foundation grow stronger and deeper, and would we respond to our world differently? Would we fall in love with Jesus at a new level of understanding, appreciating what his death and r­esurrection accomplished?

One person responded that as she was preparing to lead a Bible study, she needed to think about what she wanted to say in a prayer. She said that as she asked God to give her the words, she immediately knew what she needed to say, and she began to write it down. She said that at that moment she was clearly aware of the presence of God through the Holy Spirit.

I wonder if when we become aware of the presence of God, we are beginning to enjoy the fullness of relationship.

Dear God, when we pray to you, move us to invite you in and to ask that we can become more aware of your nearness to us. Fill us today with your Spirit. Amen.