Can We Pray Like Paul?
by Brenda Wood
I’ve picked out a few challenging phrases from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19(MSG).
I dare you to investigate your heart and see where you really stand.
This is my life work.
(Do we know what our life work is?)
God handling all the details.
(Do we let him do that?)
God saw to it that I was equipped.
(How has He equipped you?)
And so here I am, preaching and writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. (Do we proclaim Christ? Why not? See the support we get for doing that–next line!)
When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.
Paul responds to these thoughts by praying. (14-19).
Paul’s Prayer
My response is to get down on my knees before the Father.
I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength
—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.
I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.
Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
Prayer:
Lord, help us to recognize and understand that through You, we can do anything, far more than we could ever imagine or guess or request in our wildest dreams! You enable us not by pushing us around but by working within us. Thanks God. Amen (from verses 20-21)
Related articles
- How Can I Pray for My Neighbour? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
- How Can Apostle Paul Pray for Us? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
- Are You Striving in Prayer? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
Brenda J. Wood
A popular motivational speaker, Brenda, of Barrie, Ontario is known for her common sense wisdom, sense of humour and quirky comments. Brenda especially enjoys speaking at women’s retreats and conferences, community events, Mops, World Day of Prayer, and Stonecroft Ministries.
A prolific author, her current books include:
The Big Red Chair: a children’s book dealing with the loss of a grandparent.
Meeting Myself: Snippets from a Fractured Mind: the author’s recovery from abuse and eating disorders.
Hearts Under Construction: A motivational cookbook designed to feed both body and soul
Heartfelt: 366 Devotions for Common Sense Living.
God, Gluttony and You: a Bible Study dealing with our relationship to food.
Read more at:
http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com
facebook – www.facebook.com/brendawoodspeaker
Thank you, Brenda. Wise words here — God is equipping!
I think we often forget the amazing power of our prayers. When we pray we are praying to the One who can do all things; the One for whom nothing is impossible. May we all have the boldness and the faith to seek Him for our needs and the needs of others. Thanks for the inspiring words!