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If we were to reflect on our prayers over the course of a week, we would likely notice that we have done a lot of asking and thinking. Some of us have asked God to increase our faith, take away suffering, or deliver us from temptation. Others have thought about dreams that we want to realize, goals that remain unmet, conflict in relationships, and financial difficulties. As we’ve thought about these things, we’ve likely laid them before the Lord. But we still wonder what He will do. Will He answer in the way that we hope He will? Or will this be another lesson in learning that His plans are not our plans and His thoughts not our thoughts?
As we wrestle with these questions, we can be confident that we pray to the God “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). Notably, it’s not for our glory but for His—“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (v. 21).
This doxology from Paul is a declaration of praise for God’s goodness and glory. Paul is careful to build a strong case for God’s power. God is able. He is able to do. He is able to do far more. He is able to do far more abundantly. He’s able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask. He’s able to do far more abundantly than all that we think. And all this is according to the power that is at work within us.
What is this power? The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead (see 1:19–20).
We have resurrection power within us. In the midst of battling sin, as we suffer, and as we serve God, we can be confident that God’s power is at work in us to do more than we ask or think.
Not only this, but from one generation to another and from one age to the next, God will receive praise in Christ and His church as His manifold wisdom is displayed to all. Think of it: God’s resurrection power in us. God’s glory on display through the church. And all this is generational. We have work to do, dear believer. And the good news is that we have the power to do it.
In the midst of asking God for things in our prayer life, we’ll be more attuned to the truth that He is doing more abundantly than all that we ask or think. Instead of wondering how He’ll answer our prayers, we will take every opportunity to worship God, work for His glory, and witness about His great name. No longer running on empty or thinking that we’ve got the power, we can confidently go about our week, knowing that God’s power is at work in us. And this confidence in God’s power is not to be kept to ourselves but is to be shared with the next generation.