“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3: 20-21
The Glory of Prayer begins with a prayer warrior having the humility to get off their high horse and pray. Paul assumes the position by bowing down before God. (“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…” Ephesians 3:14) He initiates the purpose of prayer by interceding for believers “not to lose heart.” (Ephesians 3:13)
There is no joy in prayer for the intercessor when their prayer goes unanswered. Answered prayer brings joy for the prayer warrior and glory to God. Answered prayer is not based on asking the right question, but in taking the proper position, humility.
Effective prayer is answered prayer, but answered prayer rests upon God’s capacity to answer, not upon the eloquence or the education of the intercessor. Paul reminded the early believers that God “is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us…” v. 20
The Spirit of God lives to interpret the deepest longings and slightest groaning of the heart, and deliver them as prayers to Jesus. Jesus takes all the prayers delivered to Him, and intercedes on behalf of His followers before The Father. Anything less than this is simply not prayer. Anything more than this is mere presumption.
Giving God instructions may be the greatest hindrance to answered prayer. When prayer warriors stop talking and start listening, they discover the secret to answered prayer. The Father doesn’t need the advice of His children. He desires their faith. Prayer rests in the knowledge that The Father knows the need of His child. He holds the answer, before prayer is released, by His child. Release it anyway.
R.E.S.T. = Release Every Single Thing
The answer to Paul’s prayer will not be found in the early believers merely receiving fresh courage or keen insight to stand firm in the face of the crises of life. Paul’s prayer seeks the glory that their spiritual stamina will reflect upon The Father.
The birthmark on God’s children is prayer, not panic. When His children race around in fear, rather than face a crisis in faith, their behavior reflects poorly on The Father. Children without faith in The Father, rarely turn to Him in prayer.
Believing prayer seeks the face of The Father, before, during and after the crisis. It is more concerned with seeking The Presence of The Father, than The Father’s answer to prayer. Peace is found in His Presence, not in the answer. Panic is by-product of a unanswered prayer. It comes from constantly seeking answers, and in blind panic, missing God.
Note to self: When facing any crisis, large or small, don’t panic. Humble yourself. Seek the face of God for His direction, protection and correction. Running around with panic on your face, when faced with a crisis, reflects poorly on the face of your Father. Stop it!
Prayer reflects glory to The Father, when His children deflect the crisis towards Him. Trying to handle anything that only God can do is an expression of childish pride.
Every parent has had the experience of trying to provide guidance or assistance to one of their children, only to be met with the words, “I DO IT MYSELF!” No doubt, children need to learn to do things for themselves, but wise parents know they must unplug their children from a dependence on them, and plug them into a connection with God as quickly as possible.
Prayer connects the prayer warrior to the will of God, and prayer reflects glory on the face of God.
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The graduation season reveals one simple truth. When parents observe their children accomplishing a task that will set them on the right course, the joy in their hearts cannot be hidden. It beams out, and streams down their faces, in smiles and tears. Wise parents glory in the sight of their children graduating from childishness to child-likeness, and praying children are a parent’s greatest accomplishment. The Father glories in praying children. Parents honor Him by leading their children to do it. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!