…I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts, living within you as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvellous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it. And so at last you will be filled up with God himself.
Ephesians 3: 17-19(TLB)
Comment
A number of years ago my father passed away and the year later my mother passed too. I fell into grief and depression. I’m telling you this because it had a huge effect on our marriage.
I was numb with nothing to give and this situation went on for quite a long time. My husband said it was like living with a black hole. Don’t laugh. What he meant was that I was incredibly needy. What was amazing is that he showed his love for me day after day and he didn’t get anything back from me.
Many would say: that’s as it should be, we love unconditionally. And that’s true. It’s also impossible to do in our own strength. We have to get filled up from somewhere because we’re human.
My husband always tells people that he was only able to live through that long ‘tough time’ in our marriage because he was receiving Gods love as his fuel. As he received, so he was able to give out to me, and others.
You may be experiencing your own tough time. Or you may be in a good place in your marriage right now. Whatever your circumstances, why not meditate on the wonderful verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Then talk about what receiving God’s love means for you and your marriage.
Prayer (as a couple)
Dear Father God. Your love is amazing! We thank you that by the power of your Holy Spirit we are able to receive from for the vast well of your love and be filled. Please fill us afresh with your love. Please fill our marriage afresh. We pray that you would fill us so full that the love overflows to others, for your glory. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer (for others)
Dear Father God, we pray for… and …. We ask that you fill them in their inner beings with your amazing love. We pray that you would fill their marriage afresh with your love. And we pray that your love would transform them with new joy, peace, healing and whatever they need right now, in the power of your Holy Spirit. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Final Quote
“I think that the most difficult thing is allowing yourself to be loved, so receiving love and feeling like you deserve it is a pretty big struggle. I suppose that’s what Ive learnt recently, to allow myself to be loved. “ Nicole Kidman
