For several years I have been praying the doxology in Ephesians 3:20–21.

A doxology literally means a word of praise. These verses are beautiful and powerful words of praise toward God.

I would encourage you to read, meditate upon, memorize, and then pray these verses as an act of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving toward God. These are beautiful words as we pray them to the Father.

“Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine, According to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to generations on end. Amen.”

That’s what the text says, but it is not the way I have been quoting and praying.

I have left out the most important part – – the part that says “according to his power that is at work within us.”

Why is God able to do more than we could ever ask or imagine? It is because he has given us His Spirit to reside within us. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is the Spirit at work within us. This is clear in this passage and also in Romans eight: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).

This has profound implications. Is there anything we can’t accomplish when God’s Spirit is at work within us? Can you really say “I can’t change my behavior” when the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within you?

Jesus told us that anything we ask in his name (meaning according to His character and will) He will do.

If we ask in His name and live according to His power, I cannot be bound by Satan or by my past behaviors and habits.

No, He is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine according to his power at work within me.

I encourage you to memorize and pray these words and to live according to what Scripture teaches us – – that the power of God is within us to accomplish His will and to carry out His purpose.

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