His Exceeding Abundance…

While continuing to prepare for mission in Caintu, amidst sorting and packing brightly colored paper and scissors… gathering a mound of paste and glue… and chasing runaway beads to unite with twine, once again, I am drawn towards Ephesians 3: 14-21.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”.

The first request within this prayer is that God would grant us favor… His favor to the family… His presence to each member, according to the riches of his glory. What a wonderful, little phrase and if hurried, we hardly even notice it. But what power and authority lay within those letters. ‘According to the riches of his glory’… Or in other words, Father, grant us the measure of your own eternal fullness… to be filled to overflowing with Your presence….To be filled out of those stores of abundant grace which can never be exhausted… grace inexhaustible and ample for all needs. Oh to be filled and overflowing with the presence of God…

Most Holy God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, please, fill us with you… Fill us with your Spirit to overflowing… your storehouse is ample and you generously give, beyond measure… more than what we can imagine…”what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”( 1 Corinthians 2: 9; Isaiah 64: 4). Fill us for service; fill us for love and tenderhearted compassion for the children of Caintu. I pray for our two men and their families they represent. I pray that you will give them wisdom and discernment as they serve tirelessly at the foot of your cross. I pray for the three ladies and that you would give them an overwhelming love only found at your throne of mercy. Please give the members of New Hope Christian Fellowship, our extended family abundant riches of your presence. God bless the children and call them unto yourself. And Father for everyone reading may you touch them with your effervescent presence quickening grace within. Thank you for what you will accomplish. Amen.