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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph. 3:20-21 (NIV)
Dear heavenly Father, I’m so very thankful for your ability to do immeasurably more than all we ask and imagine. Creating the world out of nothing and raising Jesus out of the grave are proof enough. But today my prayer list doesn’t contain things beyond the stretch of my imagination, but things very much within its reach and orbit.
I ask you to lift the heaviness of my heart the way you lifted the guilt of my sin. I ask you to open the eyes of a good friend’s heart the way you opened the mouth of Jesus’ tomb. I ask you to quiet the voices of cynics, naysayers, and gossips, the way you shut the mouths of Nebuchadnezzar’s lions. I ask you to comfort the hearts of the disillusioned and disheartened, the way your angels comforted the women on the morning of Jesus’ resurrection.
I ask you to help me see the legions of angels you’ve positioned all around difficult stories and broken people. I ask you to help me grieve with hope—even overflow with hope as Paul instructed followers of Jesus. I ask you to lift your robe, run, welcome, and kiss all kinds of prodigals in the coming days, weeks, and months. I ask you to keep me from relying on myself, and to trust boldly in you—the God who raises the dead. I ask you to bring great glory to yourself, in your church by Jesus for all to see, now and forever more. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ mighty and merciful name.
