Young People's Group

NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE

by Pastor Mitch
July 21, 2013

Exercising Tremendous Faith In God Answering Prayers

Do you really believe that God has the power to do what we pray for? I certainly do. Without a doubt, God can hear our prayers and answer them in ways that we cannot even imagine. In his profound prayer for the Ephesians in the text of Ephesians 3, the apostle Paul prayed for them to be strong in their faith and to be rooted and grounded in love. They were to place Christ at the centre of their hearts and to continue to discover the immensity of His love. Paul had every reason to believe that his prayer would be heard because of his faith in God.

1. Believing In The Greatness Of God’s Ability To Answer Prayers

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” 
Ephesians 3:20

This is one of the most encouraging verses in the Scriptures concerning exercising faith in God as we pray. Paul recognised God’s greatness of ability in answering prayers in a far greater manner than we can conceive. To say that God has the capacity to do beyond all the things we ask or think is already sufficient to inspire faith in God as we pray. However, Paul did not think that it was enough to state it as such. He declared that God can do exceedingly “above all” that we pray. This is truly astounding and amazing for one who seeks to pray. Our faith in God’s far reaching capacity to answer prayer should inspire us to have stronger faith in Him as we pray.

2. Seeing The Dynamic Power Of God At Work

“According to the power that works in us” 
Ephesians 3:20

What is it that brings about such great answers to prayer? It is the dynamic power of God at work. Paul wrote that God works according to His dynamic power that energizes us. Paul prayed for the Ephesian Church that they would know what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards His people who believe (Ephesians 1:19). It was this mighty dynamic power that raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. It is this same great power that has been made available to us who believe. Paul also saw how he became a minister for Christ through the grace of God by the effective energising of His great power (Ephesians 3:7). It is through depending on His great grace that the power of God can work mightily in us. Young people, let’s believe that God’s great and dynamic power can bring about answers to prayer.

3. Giving All Glory To The Lord In The Church

“To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 
Ephesians 3:21

Ultimately, the focus of our prayer is on the Lord God being glorified in the Church. Each time we turn to God in prayer, it should not be for our own glory. It is for the honour of our Father in heaven with reference to the Church. Throughout the book of Ephesians, the focus was on the glory of God within the Church. In the text of Ephesians 1, Paul wrote of how the Lord’s spiritual blessings on the Church are meant to bring praise to the glory of His grace (Ephesians 1:6). When Paul prayed, it was meant for the people to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). Paul also prayed that God would grant his prayer according to the riches of His glory (Ephesians 3:16). He was fully committed to seeing the glory of God being understood for this generation and the next. Young people, even as Paul prayed that all honour to be given to God, let’s also seek to pray in same way. Let’s pray that God’s glory would be seen through Christ Jesus at Bethany for this generation and beyond.

Back to Article Listing