“Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20 – King James Version) My genuine hope and primary purpose for the Ephesians 3:20 Faith Encouragement and Empowerment Blog is to assist all people of faith, regardless of your prism of experience, to grow spiritually toward unconditional self-acceptance and develop personally acquiring progressive integrity of belief and lifestyle. I pray you will discover your unique purpose in life. I further pray love, joy, peace, happiness and unreserved self-acceptance will be your constant companions. Practically speaking, this blog will help you see the proverbial glass in life as always half full rather than half empty. I desire you become an eternal optimist who truly believes that Almighty God can do anything that you ask or imagine.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Prayers and Praying


Prayers and Praying


Recently, a colleague asked me to write five short prayers for inclusion in an anthology.  Below, I list two of the prayers that I submitted. 

Before doing so, however, I have a few comments on the spiritual discipline of prayer.  It is central to our relationship with God.  Prayer is the primary source of communication between God and us.  When we pray, we do not engage in magic!  Practically speaking, prayer is our side of a phone conversation.  We express our gratitude for God’s goodness toward us.  We recount many examples of His ceaseless and steadfast love and His endless tender mercies.  We thank God for His faithfulness, which enables us to stand victoriously despite life’s challenges.  In addition to adoring God for being the Sovereign Lord of the universe, we utilize prayer to request His continual blessings as they accord with His good, pleasing and perfect will for our lives.

Philippians 4:6-7 offers an easy and effective prayer formula.  (1) Do not be anxious about anything.  (2) In everything, utilize prayer and petition to present your requests to God with thanksgiving and praise.  (3) The peace of God will rule your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus. 

Sometimes, we pray to relieve anxiety and stress.  Yet, faith and fear cannot co-exist just as light and darkness cannot occupy the same space simultaneously.  The foregoing formula suggests we can take everything to the Lord in prayer.  It does not matter however small or large a situation may be.  Paul also encourages the church at Philippi always to include gratitude and praise in prayer.  Regardless of our circumstances, God is still good.  The name of the Lord shall be praised whether we are in need or not. 

Be specific in prayer!  Vague prayers evidence a lack of faith.  James forthrightly declares a doubled minded person cannot ask anything of God.  Prayer yields the peace of God, which transcends human understanding.  Whether we devise a sufficient plan to rectify our problems, God’s peace enables us to rest within His goodness and faithfulness.

Ephesians 3:20 reveals self-empowerment as the purpose of prayer.  God is not a genie in the sky who waves a wand at our beck and call.  Instead, God uses our requests as the basis for lessons He gives us.  As we acquire spiritual tools through these incidents, we find inner strength to resolve challenges about which we pray.   Simply put, prayer equals personal empowerment. 

It is difficult to consider prayer without including meditation.  In the former, we talk to God; in the latter, we listen intently to the inner voice as the Holy Spirit guides it.  Meditation raises our consciousness to a spiritual level.  We rise above our physical circumstances to a spiritual plane.  Thereby, we contemplate God’s direction toward success.  Once we descend these spiritual heights, we demonstrate obedience and faith by taking the next few steps in the right direction.  I hope that the following prayers will help you in your journey toward Gethsemane, fulfilling the will of God in both words and deeds.

Today’s Imaging Prayer and Meditation


Today, I offer the spiritual image of myself as a heartfelt prayer to Almighty God.  I ask Him to fulfill those desires that accord with His good, pleasing and perfect will for my life.  I see myself as I am.  I see myself as I am becoming.  I see myself as I wish to be in the strength and might of the Lord.  Grant me the spiritual guidance and grace to become the man that I see.  In your Name, I pray.  Amen.

For Faithful and Devoted Husbands


Each morning, O Lord, I ask for a fresh anointing of your unconditional love upon my heart.  Open the eyes of my heart so I may more greatly appreciate your steadfast love that never ceases and your tender mercies, which never come to an end.  Empower me with your Spirit so I may emulate Your perfect example.  May my heart possess sufficient love to forgive any offense and overlook my beloved’s shortcomings.  With the light of Thy countenance, burn away the dross of a self-seeking attitude.  Graciously grant unto me a faithful spirit to live in peace and joy with my wife.  In your holy and blessed Name, I pray.  Amen.

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