daily reading 34.5 (Ephesians 4:7

5-days-a-week through Romans and the letters Paul wrote from Rome in 2024

Our opening prayer for this week:

Christ, our good and faithful Shepherd,

Watching all your lambs and sheep;

Christ, the gate that guards the sheepfold,

Neverfailing vigil keep.

When we stray, Good Shepherd, seek us,

Find us, lift us, bear us home;

Lamb of God, our Shepherd, keep us;

Let us hear your voice alone.

Christ, the way that leads unfailing

To the God we glorify;

Christ, the truth that frees the captives;

Christ, the life that cannot die.

Mediator to the Father,

Sacrifice and Great High Priest;

Bring us to the new creation,

There to share your wedding feast.

Christ, the Alpha and Omega;

Christ, the firstborn from the dead;

Christ, the life and resurrection;

Christ, the church’s glorious Head:

Praise and thanks and adoration

And unending worship be

To the Father and the Spirit

And to you eternally. Amen.

Ephesians 4:7–10

Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.
⁸ For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.
⁹ But what does "he ascended " mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth?
¹⁰ The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.

helpful notes on Ephesians 4:7–10

That God shows you how to use your special gifts from him for the good of others