Wednesday, January 15, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer - January 15, 2020

EACF 40 Days of Prayer 2020
Day 15: Pray to Be Rooted and Grounded in Christ's Love

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
   Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14–21 ESV

Two things stick out about this next portion. First, Paul prays that they/we would have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. Why do we need strength to comprehend something? It could be because it's so hard for us to comprehend, because it exceeds or human knowledge and experience! It's a love that is so different from what seems natural to our own inclinations that we haven't encountered it before in this world (has any other perfect person died for you?). But also, we need strength because our belief in this love is attacked by every doubt, negative experience, sinful reality, or distraction because the love of Jesus is hard to believe. I mean, who would love us like that. - does He really know what we did? It's easy for us to fall into doubt and then to try to earn God's favor and love by resorting back to our works and pride.

Second, then, is that need for us to be rooted and grounded in love. Jesus told His disciples to abide in Him (John 10), using the vine and branches image/metaphor. God does this great and blessed work by sending Jesus in a tangible expression of love that is historic and cannot be changed - the Bible (and other historical records) speak about Jesus' life and sacrifice. Take is as a fact - God loved us through Jesus and God loves us today. Pray for strength to comprehend and to abide. And pray for two others to come to a certainty of God's love for them. Send them a note that you're praying!

This is day 15 of praying for good.

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