Absolutely praying to the God who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
This is a message I sent to FGGAM founder, Dewey. Assuring him of not only my prayers for him and his wife, Sharon, but also how we pray to the God of immeasurably more.
Immeasurably More
This particular Scripture is one of my favorites.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)
Far More Abundantly
I also like how the ESV states it.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
But what does it mean for us and our prayers? And what comes before verse 20 causing the Apostle Paul to began with Now?
A Prayer
In the preceding verses, Paul offers a prayer for the Ephesians:
“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV, Emphasis mine)
Because of God’s Glorious Riches
In his prayer, Paul reminds us that because of God’s glorious riches, power, Spirit, love, and Christ in our hearts; we are filled with the fullness of God. These are all the reasons Paul uses to lead up to verses 20-21 when he says, “Now.”
So here are 4 ways Ephesians 3:10-21 encourages us in our Now:
(1.) We pray to a God who is able. He is able to do all things—anything and everything.
(2.) God does immeasurably more. He does far more abundantly than all we ask or think or imagine.
(3.) God’s power is at work within us. When Jesus Christ reigns in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit, God’s power is alive and well inside us! Hallelujah!
(4.) To God be the glory. Notice how Paul says to let God be glorified in both the church and in Christ Jesus. Giving God His deserved glory begins with us, and carries on throughout all generations and forever.
Prayers for Our “Now”
Now, what are you praying for? What aspect of God’s glorious riches do you currently need? Is it mercy, love, grace, peace, healing, comfort, strength or something else? What immeasurably more do you need right now?
Brothers and sisters, we pray to Him who is able to do immeasurably and abundantly more than we ever imagine in our human minds and limitations!
*Featured Photo by Bobby Johnson on Unsplash.
