Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Context: Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God… 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)
From the lexicon: Able=has power. Abundantly=superabundantly. Above=beyond. Ask=request. Think=imagine. Power=might. Works=energizes.
Pulling It Together: We often take Ephesians 3:20 on its own for it tells us that God is able to accomplish more than what we can possibly pray for or even imagine. This thought gives strength to our prayers. Indeed, God is already working on that which we have brought to the throne of grace and doesn’t end with what we have requested. He sees the whole picture and knows our needs better than we do. He accomplishes His will through the mighty power that energizes us. His answers go over and beyond what our eyes can see. What a great God He is and worthy of our trust.
But the thought does not end there. The next verse completes the sentence. God can do more than we can imagine for His honor and glory in His church (v.21). This is what it is all about. God is working to strengthen His people, to ground us in love, so we may know the breadth, length, height, and depth of His love and be filled with all that God has to offer us (vv. 14-19). He is that loving Father that is working in our lives doing more than we can ask or think.
Lord, I pray for grace to yield myself over to You, and to trust You for what You are doing in my life. I pray that my prayers will reflect Your will and that I may entrust my requests into Your hands.