How deep the Fathers love for us

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— ¹⁹to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-20 NKJV

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who Spirit strengthens us,

Paul is writing from Rome and awaiting judgement. But he knows his eternal judgement is safely in Your hands, God. And he is able to leave us this prayer. It is good to read it verse by verse. And dwell on it. Verse numbers annoy me sometimes because they we added much later in the Bibles history. Over a thousand years after it was written, along with chapters, to help navigate. What a prayer to just digest in its fulness.

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;
that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

I can think of no better prayer for a new believer, in a challenging time, a mature or a nominal Christian. It is also a prayer for the church, all of us as one body (Ephesians 4:4) We can pray it for our fellowship! It is powerful if the you is changed to me. Grant me . . .I can pray it for myself in whatsoever state I am in! Today and every day to know there is not a limit, not a measure used with You. We all have all of You, always.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 14th December 2025
Lest we get too big for our spiritual boots . . .

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Lyrics: Stuart Townend

“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sin has been your downfall!” Hosea 14:1

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger will turn away from them.
⁵I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily, he will send down his roots like a cedar of Lebanon. ⁶His young shoots will grow; his splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. ⁷People will reside again in his shade; they will plant and harvest grain in abundance. They will blossom like a vine, and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. Hosea: 14:4-7

Lord our God,

Our Saviour and the great and awesome judge, I AM. Hosea gives Your challenge, the same one You have been giving to men and women boys and girls since Adam and Eve. The same request Jesus came personally to deliver. To come to You, Father and seek forgiveness and restoration. To return to You and say sorry. The kind of sorry that says I will walk with You Your way. And Hosea paints an aromatic, colourful, rich picture of what awaits those who return to You, God.

You will heal us from following our own capricious, wanton, or depraved inclinations which get us into such a mess. And the little sins that can trip us up and confuse life. You will love us freely, and redirect all Your (righteous and holy) anger away from us and not retain a jot, not even a pipsqueak!

Sometimes I think I am not so bad, not so wanton, not so capricious or depraved! Then I recall sin isn’t large or small its just sin! And I know myself! I cannot get round, over, through or under it. I sin. So sorry Lord. I cannot try harder, I will just keep on keeping step with You, learning from you and doing my best. Breathe Your forgiveness and aromatic life into me today.

Keep us malleable (able to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking or cracking) as only You can, in Your immeasurable love.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Suggestions for prayer . . .
Lord our God,

For our family and friends and neighbours. The best answer to their prayers. Daily bread.
For our church, Ministers, lay leaders, church members. Verdant growth and Your care.
For the royal family. What they need at this time and long term reconciliation.
For our nation, good growth, good government, good management, good living.
For godly men and women to shine in the run up to the general elections.
Ukraine, show Your power for peace and end war.
For Gaza, and the Middle East. Pause a time to talk, a time to not throw stones, talk peace.
For those who give food, time, money, support to church ministries here and overseas.
For Bible translators and those who take Bibles where they are needed.
For farmers and those who take care of the countryside and our protected nature areas.
For those who promote hedges, green stretches for wild life and choose not to use poisons.
For an appreciation that we are free to worship, have a Bible in our own language and have You right here right now.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Thursday 23nd May 2024

Tag: How deep the Fathers love for us

Sunday 14th December 2025

Thursday 23rd May 2024