08/16/2026
Do we realize that the fullness of God is available to us? Has anyone ever prayed for us and asked that we be granted spiritual power? Have they asked in prayer that Jesus dwell within us and that we be filled with the fullness of God? Well, if we are to follow the example set by the Apostle Paul then we should be praying and receiving that prayer, because this is precisely what he prayed for all those at the church in Ephesus. Fellow Saints, Pastors, Priests, Reverends, and Deacons, you should pray in this way for your fellow believers, parishioners, members, and churches today! Let’s listen to the apostle Paul…
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV
So often we sell short the power of our prayers; we think that it is just lowly little me speaking to an amazingly powerful God, and that maybe, just maybe, I can reach Him, but when we listen to this prayer delivered by Paul we understand the incredible strength that the Holy Spirit imparts to us. We also come to understand that this tremendous gift has been given to us so that we can glorify God... why then are we inclined to pray with such a spirit of weakness?
Prayer is more than a glass of warm milk at bedtime, and more than a piece of soggy toast in the morning, it is the glory and power of God that we know of as relationship! As we pray in the spirit, our prayers bring forth the love of Christ that surpasses all understanding, and His presence wells up from within us, calling on a power that is incomprehensible to us... the fullness of God. Does this thrill your very soul? Well it should!
Prayer is like a light switch; when we flip it to the on position all the current traveling within that circuit travels to the lightbulbs, and we are illuminated by their brilliance, but by our doubt, and lack of faith, we have spiritually installed a dimmer switch on the circuit, and by so doing, we are limiting the power that is being delivered, and we have reduced the light in the room around us. Amazingly, we are, more often than not, satisfied with living in this dim light, and never experience the radiance and incredible brightness that God has designed and desires for us... we have suppressed the very glory of God in our lives.
In John’s Gospel we read these words about this amazing gift of receiving God’s fullness too...
“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:16-17 ESV
We are not meant to simply receive a meager amount of grace from Jesus, but “grace upon grace”, and all of this for the glory of God! Listen to the words of Jesus as he speaks of His life as bringing glory to God, and His Heavenly Father’s response...
“"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine.”
John 12:27-30 ESV
We too are meant to glorify God... So how do we pray? Are we praying with, and for, the full power that is intended for us, or have we installed a spiritual rheostat and limited the glory we should be bringing to God by virtue of our doubting, and lack of faith? Read Paul’s prayer several times today, and then rip out the dimmer switch, which is limiting your prayers, and stifling your relationship with God! Make way for the grace upon grace of Jesus, the gift of power we have received in the Holy Spirit. Bring all the glory of a full prayer life, and loving relationship, to God’s feet as an offering, and praise him as He blesses you for it!
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the power you bring to my prayers through your Holy Spirit, and I thank you for the unfathomable love and grace that flows from you through your Son Jesus Christ. Hear today my unbridled prayers Holy Father, and be glorified in them. Help me in my unbelief so that I might open myself fully to you, and pray in the fullness of power that you have given me. Let my knees be bowed before you, and my words rise as a fragrant offering before your throne. You are my God and I call out boldly… “Holy, Holy, Holy are you!” Your greatness knows no end, and all things are possible for you. Hear my prayers, and glorify yourself through them by giving me your fullness... let your will be mine, and allow your power to course through me like Lightning! You are my strength, and your compassion and companionship are my sole comfort. Praised be your name forever, and may your grace pour over me like a flood… knowing no bounds.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen, and Amen!
Rich Forbes