Prayer and Faith

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than we can ask or imagine. (v.20)

Prior to verse 20 Paul had just prayed an incredibly important prayer.  He asked from God the kinds of things only God can do.  If Paul received what he asked for then those he prayed for experienced God’s power as their inner strength.  They came to know the unknowable.  Their finite was filled with the infinite. 

These were not small minded prayers Paul prayed.  He pushed the limits of what seemed likely or even possible.  Yet, after he was bold enough to reveal the magnitude of what he had asked for, he confessed that it wasn’t even close to what God could and would do. 

God responds to faith.  Our faith in God rises and falls in accordance with what we believe about Him.  When we believe God is able to do far beyond what we are able to ask, God is glorified.  I think the Heavenly Father must smile when his earthly children pray big prayers and then say with Paul, “That’s nothing for my Father.”

Father, help me to believe great things about you and ask great things from you.  Amen.