Wild Hearts

Peter Neilson May 03, 2024 6 3

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Ephesians 3: 14-21 (NIVUK)

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father…”

This prayer is holy ground for me. I preached on this prayer on the first Sunday in my first parish. I preached on it on the Sunday I left. It was my prayer for that local church. Later it became my prayer for the Church in Scotland. Variations on its rich themes shaped preaching at various centenaries and anniversaries around the country.

What more could we ask for when we would bow before the Father? Ask for the strengthening power of the Spirit, the indwelling presence of Christ, the all-embracing multi-dimensional love of Christ as the ground and foundation of our life together, and to be filled with the fullness of God. And then trust God to do “more than we could ever ask or imagine” – reverberating through all generations to the glory of Christ.

All other prayers sound thin and threadbare alongside this majestic prayer. For that reason, there is no additional prayer for today.

Prayer:

Simply read Paul’s prayer again. This time pray it for your local church, for the church across Scotland and for the global church. Pray it often. It is meant for you. It will rewild your heart as the loving enfolding of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, becomes your habitat.