12 In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.
13 So I ask you not to become discouraged because of the sufferings I am having for you. My sufferings bring honor to you.
14 So I bow in prayer before the Father.
15 Every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name from him.
16 I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong in spirit. He will give you that strength through his Spirit.
17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.
18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love. I pray that you can understand how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.