This morning I was thinking about three of my favorite verses… and it suddenly occurred to me that they all have an amazing link.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
“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…”
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
These two verses are promises of God’s abundant provision of power and resources – everything we need to accomplish His purpose. However, sometimes I don’t see “all grace” abounding. Sometimes I don’t feel that I’m abounding in “every good work” because I think I don’t have “all that I need.” Sometimes I ask for things and He doesn’t do above and beyond what I imagine.
Yet, His Word remains true. In its truth, we find an explanation: “able.” Our God is able to do these things. His power is sufficient. Why, then, do I not always see that power at work?
James 5:16 (Amp)
“The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].”
The link between God’s “ability” (power) and it’s “availability” is prayer. When we pray, He makes His ability to do all of these things (in the other two verses) available to us.
He IS able to…
-Do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or imagine
-Make all grace abound
-Provide for every good work, at all times, in all things
And all of that is done “according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph 3:20), which is made available through prayer (Jas 5:16).
We have such an awesome opportunity in prayer. Do it!