Knowing Love

Father, who is the very defintion of love,

You know that my love is imperfect, but imperfect as it is, help me to show that love to all of my loved ones so that they always know and never doubt that they are loved. But more importantly than feeling my love, I pray that they fully know, sense and feel your love. That they may know "how wide and long and high and deep" is your love "and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that they may be filled to the measure with all" your fullness. (Eph 3:18-19) May they come to understand that "perfect love drives out fear" (I John 4:18) , that being filled with your love they have nothing to fear, because they will know that they are fully loved children of yours, accepted by you just as they are. Therefore there is nothing for them to fear because they are yours and they are loved by you. Because you love them you will care for them and lead them at all times, through the hard times of life and even through the valley of the shadow of death. Show them in a very real and tangible way your presence. Not only help them all to know that you are there and that you love them, but that they feel your protecting arms around them as your love is "poured out into their hearts through the Holy Spirit." (Rom 5:5)

Amen