Young People's Group

Praying to Comprehend the Depths of the Lord’s Love

by Mitchell Tan
April 01, 2020

PRAYING FOR STRENGTH TO COMPREHEND

It takes both the Lord’s power and strength to comprehend His truths. Understanding and appreciating truths from the Scriptures is not as straightforward as one may think. Paul therefore purposefully prayed and interceded for the Church at Ephesus to be able to comprehend the truths of God. There was the need for him to pray for them to be strengthened with might by the Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16). And beyond just being rooted and grounded in love, they would need to have an in-depth comprehension of the matchless love of the Lord.

“(That you) 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”
Ephesians 3:18-19

The word “able” in Greek has the idea of being “strong enough”. The Ephesians needed to be strengthened in order to comprehend the great extent of the love of the Lord. It is truly a love that goes beyond our understanding and abilities. In order for the Church to be one and alive, Paul sought to pray for this. The love of Christ was meant to be greatly appreciated and to fill their hearts in three ways. First, there is the love of Christ demonstrated to us. This can be clearly seen through the salvation and spiritual blessings we have in Christ. Second, it is the love of the Lord that we can have for Him. Third, it can also be shown through us to each other.

REASONS WHY WE NEED STRENGTH

Why do we need to be strong enough to understand the love of Christ?

1. IT TAKES MUCH STRENGTH AND MATURITY TO UNDERSTAND

A. TO COMPREHEND

It takes maturity for us to piece things together with reference to the Lord’s love.

B. TO KNOW

It takes also the Lord’s power and strength for us to experience it so deeply that it fills our hearts fully. We are to grow in this love of the Lord in our hearts till there is fullness.

2. IT TAKES A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO KNOW AND TO EXPRESS THE LORD’S LOVE

The love of Christ is also something that needs to be understood together as a Church. We are meant to understand and appreciate it collectively as we learn to love each other. As we grow in His love, it will help us to go beyond our own levels of love.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

1. PRAYING FOR STRENGTH TO APPRECIATE AND BE FILLED WITH THE LORD’S LOVE

Let’s seek to pray always to be able to comprehend and know His love. Even with the growing concerns over Covid-19, can we still pray that we may appreciate how profound His love is? Most definitely.

2. PRAYING TO SEE HOW CONCRETE THIS LOVE IS

Even though the love of the Lord is truly limitless, it is still concrete. It can be measured and experienced personally and corporately.

3. PRAYING FOR A BIGGER HEART OF LOVE

Even as we learn to have a deeper appreciation of the Lord’s love, let’s pray that the Lord will give us a bigger heart of love for each other.

Let’s learn to keep in touch and look out for each other during this Covid-19 outbreak. Let’s also be concerned enough to pray for our Indian, Burmese and Australian brethren. Some of them are going through a very challenging time with the lockdown in their countries. Let’s, with a big heart of love, remember and pray for them.

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