Ephesians 3:20 (Amplified Version)
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]
One of the most powerful reminders to me of the reality and greatness of God is the starry night sky. Far from city lights we can make out our view of the Milky Way galaxy, home to our solar system and billions of stars. Scientists tell us that our galaxy is 100,000 light years across. One light year is 5.76 trillion miles. There are billions of galaxies in the known universe. Some astrophysicists theorize there may even be universes beyond our own.
Staggering. And that’s just the finger work of God (Psalm 8:3). Truly, God is awesome, beyond imagination!
As I look at that sky and ponder this, I realize again that my problems, limitations and weakness are nothing compared to God’s surpassing greatness and ability!
The incredible words of Ephesians 3:20 conclude one of the most amazing prayers in all the Bible. A prayer that God would strengthen us with His mighty ability so that we can comprehend and enjoy the full dimensions of His love and, as the Amplified puts it, “the richest measure of the divine Presence”!
Did you know that we have a 100% guarantee from God that He will fulfill this prayer for us? 1 John 5:14-15 says:
[14] Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.[15] And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (NKJV)
If we ask according to God’s will, He not only hears us but we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. Done. Guaranteed by God Himself. Let me ask you: is the prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 God’s will? Of course it is — it’s in God’s holy word!
Yet in the face of a biblical prayer of such enormous promise, we may be shrink back, weighed down by our own limitations and inability. Yet Ephesians 3:20 explodes the barrier of our inability with limitless power of Father God’s ability. Read it again:
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] (Amplified Version)
Here’s the key: HE is able. How much? “Superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think”
Ephesians 1:17-23 is another incredible biblical prayer. That we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation to really know, experientially, the Lord Jesus Christ. By virtue of that experience, God “turns the light on” to our understanding (Eph 1:18, literal Greek), so that we would know:
- The hope of our calling (now our future is secure, verse 18b)
- What is the exceeding riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (that’s you, verse 18c)
- What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty strength (verse 19, there are four Greek “power” words in that one verse!) The same mighty, ultimate power that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him far above all principality, power, might and dominion.
This is all for us. For you, if you are in Christ by God’s grace and doing (1 Cor 1:30).
These two amazing prayers in Ephesians graciously give us the God-sized ability to fully experience God’s love, fullness, calling, riches and ultimate power in our lives right now!
What more could we need? What more could we ask? Imagine your life operating in such mind-blowing dimensions! Now, remember that God is able to do “superabundantly beyond, far over and and above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts hopes or dreams!”
Why does He want to — and will do — all this for me or you? The answer is in Ephesians 3:21
To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). [Amplified]
This how God’s glory is maximized! So, go for it. Make these incredible prayers your very own. You will truly be blown away by what God does in you and through you for His glory!
Written by Mark VanOuse
Image “M81 and Arp’s Loop”. Credit & Copyright: R Jay GaBany – Collaboration: A. Sollima (IAC), A. Gil de Paz (U. Complutense Madrid) D. Martínez-Delgado (IAC, MPIA), J.J. Gallego-Laborda (Fosca Nit Obs.), T. Hallas (Hallas Obs.)