A Praise For All Christians

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).

This prayer of praise to God–known as a doxology from the meaning of the word in Greek–is filled with praise toward God and meaning for the believer. In the preceding verses, God is described as the Father of the whole family who possesses infinite riches in glory. In these verses, He is described as the God who works powerfully within us.

As we go to God in prayer, we should be mindful of this doxology. God is able to do all we might ask or think of asking. He is able and therefore should be glorified by all of us.

John Stott (The Message of Ephesians, 139-41) sees seven successive stages which show God able to answer prayer. (1) God is able to do because He is the living God who is at work among us. (2) He is able to do what we ask because he hears and answers prayer. (3) He is able to do what we ask or even think! (4) He is able to do all we think. He is not limited. (5) He is able to do more than we ask or think. (6) He is able to do much more or exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think.(7) He is able to do super abundantly, Paul’s coined word that means “immeasurably more” or “infinitely more.”

All this together means God is not limited. No wonder the Scripture tells us to go boldly to the throne of grace in prayer.

Why do we limit the God who can do super abundantly and wants to work actively in our lives? This is part of what believing as we pray means. God is able. We should believe in His power and in His goodness. God does all this because of the power of the work within us individually and within us as a people. This is the power of the resurrection.

Praise must go to God in the church and in Jesus Christ, that is, in the body and in the head for all eternity.

Amen.

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3 Responses

  1. Had a great all-be-it brief meeting with Lt. Col. Steve Russell last night. He shared with me he is scheduled to speak to the Georgia State Convention. The subject goes something like this: The right tools used for the wrong Battle.

    I would like to hear that address. Perhaps we are thinking/believing along the same lines. We have the tools; but as long as we are unwilling to recognize God’s provision and (I increasingly believe) condition in placing ourselves collectively in position, as His Son’s Bride, we will continue to skirmish at the outer darkness and miss the Light this side of eternity; and perhaps spend eternity lamenting our missed opportunity. We were not designed to go it alone. Both Old and New Testament Scriptures scream this admonition at us. We need more. We need the Power that comes from the Holy Spirit through the provisions of the Father and Son from each other, as members of the Same Body. Romans 12: 4-6, etc.

    Philippians 3: 13 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” Note the purpose and method stated in the following verses.

    To achieve our purpose: Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who which strengtheneth me.” He knew his MOS to accomplish his Mission. Do we know ours? Have we forgotten the completion of the Commission? Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done…

    Yes, He is able. Your seven points are great! The question is, are we willing?

  2. Thank you. John Stott’s stages of how God is able to answer prayer was nice to read after a week that has not been easy because of events in the life of family members and friends.

    Thought about you and Martha on the way home from church and said to myself that I bet you two can’t believe that a week of your vacation already is gone .

    We can’t wait to read the book by Lt. Col.Russell. His message was good, even without much light, sound and visuals.

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