A Prayer Asking God to Do More Than We Can Ask or Imagine
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, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:17–21 NIV)
Heavenly Father, as I read these words addressing the churches in Ephesus, I am more grateful than ever that you have rooted and established us in your love. You have planted our roots deep in the fathomless depths of your agape love. Our eternal health and fruitfulness are not in doubt. We will flourish and thrive forever. The gates of hell will not overcome the growth and forward movement of your beloved people (Matt. 16:18).
However, until that day, so much can happen to us and among us as your people. Satan hates the church, and we are an “in Christ” but still sinful people. It’s what makes Paul’s prayer so critical for each day. What but a bigger and better grasp of the love of Jesus can keep us focused on the things that really matter and repentant for the ways we fail one another?
Father, it’s sobering to realize that Paul’s letter to the Ephesians wasn’t the only time the churches of Ephesus were addressed about love. Many years later Jesus spoke these words to the same churches, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first” (Rev 2:4–5 NIV). Really good churches can fall into really big messes. Only the love of Jesus can win the day.
I’m glad you can do so immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, but I will settle today for what I can ask and for what I can imagine. I ask you to restore me to my first love relationship with Jesus. And I ask you for power— for an out- pouring of your Holy Spirit that will enable me and the brothers and sisters in Jesus to grasp how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Jesus.
May the love of Jesus humble us. Help us remember the height from which we have fallen, repent, and do the gospel things we did at first. I can imagine this, Father, and I do ask for it, so that your glory will be revealed in the church and throughout all generations. I earnestly and passionately pray in Jesus’ beloved name.
Amen.