For I am convinced that neither death not life, neither angels not demons, neither

the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all

creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:38-39

I cannot fully comprehend God’s love, but I know it is fierce…it’s like a tidal wave, crashing over me; it’s like a hurricane that I can’t escape and don’t want to. Nine years ago when I encountered God’s love in this way, it changed my life. I pray continually that my son will encounter this fierce love of God. It’s there, but just like I didn’t perceive it for the first 40 years of my Christian life, he doesn’t perceive it and probably never has.

God, I know Your love is fierce, but _______ doesn’t. Crash over _______like a tidal wave. Rush in to meet him/her. Like a hurricane that _______ can’t escape, tear through the atmosphere. Don’t hold back! Chase _______ down. Seek _______ out. Before ______ calls; before he/she cries out, collide with him/her. Don’t hold back. Pursue _______ relentlessly, O my God! May _______ know how long and how wide and how deep and how high Your love is, this love that surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19). You are with _______. You are mighty to save. You take great delight in ________. You quiet ________ with Your love, You rejoice over ________ with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). You are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Turn to _______ and have mercy on him/her (Psalm 86:15-16). Show _______ Your unfailing love and save _______ from his/her folly. Restore _______ again, O God his/her Savior. Revive ________ again that he/she may rejoice in You. Righteousness goes before You to prepare the way (from Psalm 85). You are a consuming fire. Your kingdom cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28-29). You went before the Israelites when they crossed the Jordan into the promised land to destroy the Anakites, who were strong and tall, and subdued them before the Israelites eyes; You drove them out and annihilated them quickly…not because the Israelites were righteous, for they were a stiff-necked people, but because the nations were wicked and to accomplish what You had promised to their forefathers (from Deuteronomy 9:1-6). ______ has an enemy who is strong and tall. Drive him out because he is wicked and has stolen him/her. He had no right, but he did it anyways. It was his purpose to steal, kill, and destroy _______, but You are the good shepherd, Jesus, and You know Your sheep. You laid Your life down for _______ (from John 10:10-15). Just like You told the Israelites that You had loved them with an everlasting love, You had drawn them with lovingkindness and You would build them up again, I pray that out of Your fierce and everlasting love, that You would draw ______ with lovingkindness and build him/her up again.

God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son. ~ Jerry Bridges