PostScript: Abundant growth
Paul prays for us to know the Spirit within us, so we can work abundantly in the world. Sometimes the world makes that difficult, which is why we need to pray! (Ephesians 3.14-end).
Context
In this week’s reading, Paul prays that people may grow abundantly in the spirit. When someone doesn’t grow they fade and die. In Britain, the BBC reports the effect of the drought – grass needs water and sunshine to grow.
The weather has encouraged the wrong sort of growth in the lakes of Cumbria, something that can damage the local ecosystem and beyond. What affects our growth in the spirit? Paul prays that we will grounded and rooted in love.
In world news, there is a small chance of peace in Gaza, something that many are praying for.
Sky news reported that children's books are failing to reflect the diversity of modern Britain. A call for unity perhaps? Something we should all be praying for?
On a joyful note, a man answers a lot of prayers as he travels to cut dementia patients' hair in a gentle way – different way, perhaps, of giving up your lunch to feed those in need?
Reflection
Look at the world – we continue to battle and fight among ourselves, and we have a habit of keeping things for ourselves, and ensuring what we have is protected. Even subconsciously this happens. We have only to look at the various proposed Brexit deals. And I wonder how many of us would have thought that children’s books don’t reflect the ethnic diversity of our world?
This week’s reading focuses on learning to respond to our creator. On being ‘rooted’ and ‘grounded’ in the love of Christ who is the source of all life (v.17). The stories of green algae blooming out of control in ‘the Lakes’, and the damage caused by having ‘too much’ sun rather than the usual balance of weathers, highlight what can happen when things become out of kilter. That can happen spiritually too. Great evil and great good don’t just happen out of the blue. Both can and do happen in small ways, or from small beginnings. Algae is always present; it only comes to significance once it has snowballed. Thankfully, the same is true for goodness. In today’s Gospel reading, we are reminded how small acts of love and goodness can be blessed to feed so many. And Paul’s words to the Ephesians reinforce a lavish provision. Paul knows, from personal experience, that God working within us can do more than we can ever imagine. We can change the world!
Paul prays that the Ephesians may know that it is God who makes us, with care and love – not just a creative splurge, but each one given their name by him. As we gradually learn to move and dance with the Holy Spirit, we learn what the seas and the wind already know instinctively, that we are made to respond to God. Christian praying and believing can be small and sometimes unimaginative. We give God a wish list, because in our minds that is what he is, the stuff of fairy stories. But Paul says, don’t be silly; this is God the creator of the world. Sometimes we can be scared, just as the disciples where scared when Jesus walked like a ghost on the lake, or when they were faced by 5000 hungry people. If that creative power, the power of love, is unleashed on the world and on us, so that we see the world through the eyes of that love, then the world will be changed. We need to acknowledge this so that we too can grow and be changed, knowing nothing will separate us from that love. We need to grow in goodness and grow abundantly.
Prayer
This prayer, based on Ephesians 3.14-21, has actions; but do give permission for those who will not find these helpful in prayer to opt out.
You will need a series of items – or images of those items: a cross, a rucksack, a photo of a church congregation (preferably your own), a Bible.
God is the source of all good things, he is all powerful.
We pray that he will strengthen us with power through his Spirit,
so we can face any challenges of our time.
Look at the rucksack.
Place hands near shoulders, as if holding the straps of a rucksacks.
We hand over to God those areas of difficulty in our lives.
Each of us here holds a rucksack of burdens.
Some are overflowing.
We pray that Christ will dwell in our hearts through faith,
so all will know that they are not alone,
and that he walks with us through the dark times.
Hold the (image of the) cross.
Trace a big sign of the cross in the air – upwards, downwards, and across from east to west.
We pray that in our relationship with God,
that we may grasp how wide and long and deep
is the love of Christ.
Help us, Lord, to grow abundantly in the Spirit,
so that we can change the world around us.
Look at the photo of the congregation.
Look round at each and spread arms wide.
We pray that in our relationships with one another,
we may be rooted and established in love.
Teach us, Lord, to live in unity and love.
Hold the (image of) Bible.
Everyone holds up a pew Bible, or makes the sign of book (as in a game of charades).
We pray that we may develop in knowledge and love of God,
and we may be filled with the fullness of Christ.
Help us, Lord, to understand your Scriptures. (Repeat the action)
Take hold of the cross once more.
We pray for those who are ill at this time in mind, body or soul,
that they will know your love and grace in their lives.
Help them to know you are with them always.
Amen.
Questions
- How can we grow in abundant love?
- How can we share the love of God with others throughout the world?
- Can we just speak about God’s love or do we need action too?
All-age activity
Three prayer stations
1 Growth and strength
Prepare a table with pictures of a wide range of people, a mirror, a plate or small bowl, slips of paper, and pens.
Instruction card says:
Lift the mirror and see the wonderful creation that God has made.
Pray for yourself and others that you may choose each day to be filled with the Holy spirit, so that you may grow abundantly in God’s love. Be strengthened by the Spirit and know that you are loved by God. Look for ways to share the good news (the love of Christ) with others.
Write ‘growth’ and ‘strength’ on a slip of paper and place it on the plate provided.
2 Sharing love
Prepare a table with symbols that represent your church, including information about some of things that the church is doing – e.g. a parish news sheet, a magazine, baptism/marriage/funeral registers – a plate or small bowl, slips of paper, and pens.
Instruction card says:
By our fruits we are known, and we need to share what we have with others.
Look at these items which tell of some of the things our church is doing and sharing.
What other ways might there be to share the love of Christ with the world?
Pray for the life of the church,
and especially for the contacts with those who not part of its life.
Pray for the leaders and those who serve.
Pray for those who have been baptized.
Write ‘sharing love’ on a slip of paper and place it on the plate provided.
3 Let the seeds grow
Prepare table with sunflower seeds, paper/plastic cups filled with compost.
Instruction card says:
Pray for the community and the world,
for peace for all of God’s creation.
Pray that as you are strengthened by God,
and know more of the love of God,
you will accomplish far more than we ever can ask for.
Now take a sunflower seed and plant it. Take this away with you and care for it. As it grows let it remind you to pray for yourself, the community and the world, that all will grow abundantly in Christs love.
Finally, gather the two plates and, at a suitable time, bring them to the front and pray: Loving God, you have heard all the things that have been on our minds and hearts during this worship. You love all the people we love, and you care for all of us and the world around us. Help us to know the love you have for each of us ever more deeply, so that we may share that love with others, and the world will resound with your love. Accept these prayers today for the sake of your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Young people
Discuss together what does it mean to be filled abundantly with Gods love and to be ‘rooted’ in God. How can we show that love to the world around us? What can you do this week to share what you have, so that love of God can be shared?
For example, can you share your lunch with someone? Can you buy a lunch for a homeless person? Could you pay for someone’s coffee behind you in the queue in the coffee shop? Could you give some food to your local foodbank? Invite the group to suggest further examples.
Pray each day that the Lord will fill you with his abundant love so that you can out pour this into the world; say the Lord’s Prayer and look for opportunities to share God's love with others.
Rev Laura Leatherbarrow, an Anglican priest, is acting Rector of four churches in Widnes and blogs about life and the Christian faith.
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