Praying to the God of Immeasurably More

Are you praying for something you need our faithful God to answer in an abundant way?

I am thrilled to introduce you to my writer friend, Karen Friday, who is guest blogging for me today. If you are not following her, I hope you will now that you know her. I am always blessed by her posts.

She is going to tell you about one of her favorite verses, which happens to be one of my favorites too – Ephesians 3:20. My favorite version is the New King James, which states it this way:

[God] is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think…

Several years ago I heard Priscilla Shirer speak about this verse. She explained God goes “beyond beyond.” Let that sink in – beyond beyond.

God sure went beyond beyond with my son who was addicted to drugs for 13 years and is now a pastor. I never imagined all those years I prayed that God would exceed my requests for him.

 

Here’s Karen to give you a couple of other versions to help you see how beyond beyond our God is!

 

Friend, I’m praying for you to the God who does immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

I sent this message to a friend to be assured we serve and pray to the God of immeasurably more.(click to tweet). Because 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).

Immeasurably and Abundantly More

Google tells us immeasurably means, “to an extreme or extensive degree; immensely.” And defines more as “a greater or additional amount or degree.” Therefore, it’s doubled in degree and greatness and amount.

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” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Again, according to Google, abundantly means “in large quantities; plentifully.” And so we conclude these things about God’s ability:

• Extreme or extensive. 
• Greater and additional amount.
• Large, plentiful quantities.

Kneeling and Praying

But what does all this mean for us and our prayers? Also, what comes before verse 20 in chapter 3 of Ephesians causing the Apostle Paul to start our focus verse with Now?

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

Further, 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.(click to tweet) 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—to a greater degree and plentiful. Because God provides all His glorious riches to us.
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. God deserves 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. 

Praying in Our “Now”

What are you praying for now? 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 in this current season of life?

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! (click to tweet)

 

No matter which your favorite version of Ephesians 3:20 is, our God is the God of beyond what we can see or imagine – the God of the impossible (Matthew 19:26). Keep praying. He is able and He is faithful.

What “immeasurably more” do you need right now in your current season of life? Let us know in the comments (on social media). We’d love to pray for you.

Know someone who needs to know God is able? Please share!

 

Karen Friday is a pastor’s wife passionate about the local church, women’s ministry, speaking, and sacred callings. Known as Girl Friday in the writing and blogging world, she founded the award-winning, online community, Hope is Among Us at Karen Girl Friday. Karen is also an award-winning author who has published devotions and articles, contributed to several anthologies and a devotional, Dear Wife: 10 Minute Invitations to Practice Connection with Your Husband. She writes monthly for A Wife Like Me and Inspire a Fire while working on her first nonfiction book. The Friday clan includes two grown children and two grandchildren. The entire family is found of the expression, “TGIF: Thank God it’s Friday.” They owe Monday an apology. Connect with Karen on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn.

 

Prayer is vital to our lives. Why? Why do we need to pray, and why doesn’t God just do what He knows we need and want without our having to ask, especially if He is “able”? What should we pray? And how do we keep praying and remain faithful in the waiting? Learn the answers to these questions and so much more in the Book, Pursuing Prayer – Being Effective in a Busy World, available here. Great for Bible study or a personal devotional.

Don’t have much time to pray? Download “Ten Prayer Tips for Busy Days” here.