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, forever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:17-21
Dear heavenly Father, meditating on Paul’s prayer for believers in Ephesus, fills my heart with gratitude for the gospel of your grace. You’ve planted our roots deep and secure roots, in the fathomless depths of your agape love. Our eternal joy and health are not in doubt. We will flourish and thrive forever. We WILL feast in the house of Zion. The gates of hell will not overcome the growth of your church and forward movement of your kingdom (Matt. 16:18).
However, until that Day Jesus returns, so much can happen to us, and among us, as your people. Satan hates the church; and we are an “in Christ,” but “yet-to-be-glorified,” people. Father, what but a bigger and better grasp of Jesus’ love can keep us focused on the things that really matter, and repentant for the ways we fail one another? Really good churches can fall into really big messes; and only the love of Jesus can win the day.
Father, I’m glad you can do so “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine,” but I’ll settle today for what I can ask and imagine. Please continue to restore us to our first love relationship with Jesus; and grant us an outpouring of your Holy Spirit that will enable to grasp how wide, long, high, and deep Jesus’ love really is.
Humble us, soften us, and center us on Jesus. Dead bones can live again (Ezekiel 37); chilled-hearted believers can dance again (Luke 15); brothers and sisters who have hurt each other can heal and love well again. Churches can get unstuck, outward facing, and onward moving. Long before the Day of consummate revival, bring us into a perpetual gospel renewal. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ holy and loving name.