Strength to Comprehend

If you’ve ever struggled with knowing how to pray for someone, I encourage you to read the letters written by the Apostle Paul! His prayers for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are some of my favorite passages in the epistles. However, one prayer ranks above them all. In chapter 3 of Ephesians, he lets his spiritual siblings know that he bows his knees before the Father so that they might have strength to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:16-19). 

Have you ever thought about that? Paul is telling us that God’s love is so big- so incomprehensible- that it requires God’s strength to understand it! Although our finite minds will never fully comprehend God’s love this side of eternity, our limited minds should not discourage us from trying! Just the opposite- as much as possible, we should set our minds on the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5). 

I don’t know about you, but as good as that last sentence sounds, I often have trouble executing that plan! Paul knew this too, which is why he prayed for the Spirit to empower the believers to know God’s love. 

Have you ever thought about praying this prayer for yourself? For others? Admittedly, asking for God’s help to grasp His love is something I’ve rarely prayed for. But what a beautiful thing for which to ask! Our Father in Heaven desires for us to know His love, and He will not deny His children this privilege. 

Over the next 4 posts we will focus on specific ways God has manifested His love for us in Christ. But for today, take some time to read Ephesians 3:14-19. Pray these verses and ask God to grant you strength to comprehend the depth of His love. I encourage you to keep a prayer journal for this activity! Write out your prayer. And of course, write how God answers your request 🙂