"I ask for the grace to pray and meditate faithfully. I ask for patience, kindness, empathy, compassion, and gentleness of spirit. I ask to abstain from anger, anxiety, arrogance, compulsive behaviour, cynicism, discouragement, and self-importance. I ask to know and follow Jesus more closely, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly."
Ephesians 3:14-17
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,* 15from whom every family* in heaven and on earth takes its name. 16I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
1) "...every family;" "...the riches of his glory;" "...inner being;" "...that Christ may dwell in your hearts;" "...rooted and grounded in love."
2) I love the image of "being rooted and grounded in love." I wonder if we remember on a daily basis as we move from one task to another that this is what we are supposed to be hosting, "being rooted and grounded in love." Paul makes a universalizing statement in this prayer: "from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name." There are no conditions set on that claim. We all derive from the same source, that makes us all kindred (in Paul's case, he's referring to Gentile and Jew). I find myself wondering is it at all possible that God wouldn't want us "strengthened in your inner being"? Of course not. Paul asks for something God wants. God wants us strengthened in our inner being. What are the obstacles that keep me from being ground in love? hmm... what are the obstacles to feeling grounded in love? could it be possible to be grounded in love, yet not feel the love? What would help feel that grounding in love?
3) What is the invitation in all this? To feel the love. To breathe deeply and feel my body ground in the earth, getting heavier with each exhale and imagine love weighing down, grounding in the earth.
"Holy One, strengthen us in our inner being that Christ may dwell in our hearts, rooting and grounding us in love."
Breathprayer: "Glory... grounded in love."
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