Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the
WEEK 10
PRAISING FATHER, SON, AND HOLY
SPIRIT
EPHESIANS 5:25-32
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
OUR GREAT HEAVENLY FATHER,
blessed Son, and eternal Spirit, we come to worship You—God in three Persons,
one in essence, perfect in every way, the only true God. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the redemption our heavenly Father
has furnished for us in Christ the Son and applied to us by the Holy Spirit. Undeserving though we are, You have welcomed us
into Your everlasting Kingdom, so that we might be partakers of Your unspeakable glory.
Again, Father, we thank You that in the fullness of Your grace,
You loved us and sent Your only begotten Son to redeem us.
Lord Jesus, though existing eternally in the form of God,
You did not count that as something to be clung to. You humbled Yourself, took on the form of a servant,
and were made in the likeness of men. As a man, You became a servant, being obedient to the Father's will—
even unto death on the cross.1
That one sacrifice atoned for our sins forever
and provided us with a covering such as we needed— the spotless garment of Your perfect righteousness.
Holy Spirit, You too have loved us everlastingly,
and now You make Your permanent abode in our hearts,
letting Your life and power flow through us, producing abundant fruit and conforming
us to the image of Christ.
O God—one God yet three Persons—we praise You and thank You
for mercy so undeserved, and for grace beyond measure.
Your lovingkindness is inexhaustible; Your mercies endure forever; Your faithfulness extends to all generations;
Your glory is seen in all Your works; and Your steadfast love is our song. We come to You, the triune God,
enthroned in our lives, presiding over the universe, and we humbly ask for You to strengthen us where we are weak, beginning with our acts of worship. You who spoke the universe into existence with but a word
are the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.2
How we thank You again for commanding salvation on our behalf!
Lord, we come before You in prayer to bring You our praise. Set our lives in order before You,
and renew our commitment to love and obedience,
usefulness and faithfulness. Be honored through our lives, we pray,
in the name of Christ. Amen.
1. Philippians 2:7-8 2. 2 Corinthians 4:6