Ephesians 3:8-21
The foreground of this section, the "benediction", is lettered in Fraktur, with the primary focus of the text lettered in gold, with the names and pronouns of God and Christ in gold and outlined in blue. The rest of the passage is lettered in freeform handwriting on the outside of the gold oval in the corners.
Story Behind the Art
Our church memorized this passage together around 2005. I have used this prayer many times over the years. Previous to lettering this, I had focused on God's power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or even think. Then I realized that the central them of this passage is not how God answers my prayers but that HE RECEIVES GLORY! This concept is the first request in the model prayer that Jesus gave - "Hallowed be Thy name". May each of our lives be TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE, wherein He has made us accepted in the Beloved!
Translation
NKJV
Text
Ephesians 3:20,21 are in the foreground
20 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, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:8-19 surround the gold oval
8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.