Prayer of Power

When Jesus is the focal point of our lives and the One in whom we place our trust, we can also approach the Father with assurance (Heb. 4:16). Jesus himself is the only mediator or go-between that we need. His death and resurrection have bridged the gap between God and ourselves ( 1 Tim. 2:5-6).

Prayer is more than a simple (or one-sided) conversation; it has the power to transform our lives as we are drawn near to our loving Lord. Its benefits are almost incomprehensible, and certainly innumerable. Paul's prayers as mentioned in Ephesians 3:14-21 are themselves moving examples of boldly approaching God's throne with requests that the Spirit's limitless power might be unleashed on behalf of people.

Paul prayed that we might be strengthened "with power through [God's] Spirit in [our] inner being, so that Christ may dwell in [our] hearts through faith" (Eph. 3:16-17). Now there's something to think about and to give thanks for! We do not need to plod through this life alone, too depleted to fight the spiritual battles that rage all around us. Worldly philosophers urge us to "self-actualize" the inner core of our being, but there is no power source within the self. The world believes that it is only by taking control of our own lives that we can find fulfillment, but the Bible teaches precisely the opposite. It is only by renouncing control, turning over the reins to God in prayer and being filled with His Holy Spirit that we can become power-full Christians. We are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us," no matter what life may hold for us (Rom. 8:37).

Paul also prayed that believers might be "rooted and established in love" and that we might, through the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, be able "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that [we] may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19.

Paul closed this moving passage with a thrilling tribute: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen" (verses 20-21)