The Power of Prayer pt 1

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or imagine, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21

Every week at my church we finish the service with this verse. Many of us pray this verse and yet do not take it for what it is worth. What I mean is that we do not understand the power of the words we just prayed have and if we apply them in our lives, the power Christ gives us through the Holy Spirit. I want to share some of the applications I learned through teaching at Sea Coast over the next few weeks and encourage you to embrace these principles as I too am learning to implement them in my life.

Can you see why so many people tend to see this as one of those “over-promised but  under- delivered” verses in the Bible about God? This week challenge yourself to see God for who He really is, “an under- promiser and over-deliverer.”

• Joseph was thrown into slavery by his brothers and later became the #2 guy in Egypt
• Israel was promised freedom from Pharaoh but not only received freedom but had an entire ocean parted, food provided for even in their disobedience, and a land overflowing with milk and honey.
• David took care of sheep on his father’s land, was called by God to not only kill an individual every other warrior from Israel was terrified of but, later to become king of Israel.
• How has God under- promised, but over- delivered for you?

If God is able to do all these incredible things in the lives of ordinary individuals, what will this mean for your life?

1. Try dreaming bigger dreams- Act 3:17 tells us that in the last days, “our sons and duaghters will prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dream. ” Open your heart and mind to the promises God has for those who follow Him.
2. With that being said, PRAY BIGGER PRAYERS! Be specific and persistent.

•  James 4:2 says “[we] do not have because [we] do not ask.”
• In chapter 10 of Mark and chapter 18 of Luke, the blind man asks Christ for his sight and Christ gives it to him.
• In Mathew Chapter 6, Jesus tells us how to pray; not prayers that we do not mean, but simply prayers from our heart; important issues in our lives.

Be persistent!!! When something is said once in the Bible, it is a good idea to obey and/or follow it. When something is said twice, it is a really good idea to obey/follow it. WHEN SOMETHING IS SAID THREE OR MORE TIMES, YOU’D BETTER LISTEN! This is a technique God uses to show He really means something- and above are common verses showing God ‘s desire to hear our prayers- therefore, apply the same principle in your lives; if you really mean something, pray with God continuously about it.