PRAYER

Provision and Power

There is so much more to experience with God than I am experiencing now. The spiritual hunger pangs gnaw deep within my heart. I’m often frustrated with how slowly I grow. Like a child measuring himself against an older sibling, I stretch myself on tiptoes to feel taller than I am. When the effort exhausts me, I shrink back down to my real height – discouraged.

However, the truth stands. My Heavenly Father loves me. He brings me in close and whispers, “Patience. Stop trying so hard. Let go. Trust me. I’ve got this. It is Me who works in you – and it is My pleasure.”

He asks me what I’m hungry for. We have conversations. He suggests a dish I have never tried.

“Trust Me”, He whispers.

He never disappoints.

Prayer – where God’s provision meets our hunger, where His power nourishes and strengthens. The place of alignment with His heart and mind.

Prayer is the catalyst for transforming the knowledge of WHO you are into the wisdom of WHO you are!

Prayer – first a posture before it’s an activity, an intentional connection with the Heavenly Father. A friend once told me it’s like dialing heaven and staying on the line 24/7. There are times when my wife and I have gotten on the phone and we don’t say much. We miss each other and simply being connected is enough. Intimacy (God’s desire for us and our desire for Him) drives authentic prayer. Not a duty nor a discipline – but a lifestyle.

The provision and power you need are in the posture and practice of prayer.

The Lord has captured me in His declarations of WHO I am in the book of Ephesians. It is so transformative and that’s why I’m sharing it with you. It permeates every part of my life.

We are at a place in Ephesians 1:15 in which the Apostle Paul pauses to pray. Remember, prayer is the place of provision and divine power. Prayer takes everything taught about WHO you are in Jesus and makes it real and authentic for you.

You have every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, you are chosen, adopted, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, entrusted, God’s inheritance, you exist for the praise of His glory, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise.

Do you want to experience these truths for real? Pray. Have authentic, ongoing conversation with your Father about it.

The truth of WHO you are in Jesus must pervade cognitive reasoning and embed in your heart where it is nourished by the Holy Spirit and can grow into fruitfulness. Prayer is the catalyst for transforming the knowledge of WHO you are into the wisdom of WHO you are!

If you’re anything like me, you might just be “trying” to be WHO you are. Now it’s time to cease your works and let the Heavenly Father provide and empower WHO you are, who He has declared you to be. Prayer is a partnership with God. He asks you to “open your mouth wide so He can fill it” (Psalm 81:10). Your job is to open, His job is to fill!

And so Paul prays. And it is for all of us:

I [Apostle Paul] do not cease to give thanks for you, and when I talk with God, I frequently mention you. This is what I ask the God of our Lord Jesus, the Father of glory, to do for you:

I pray He breathes His wisdom upon you. I pray for a special manifestation of Himself so you can recognize and discern WHO your Heavenly Father is. That you would really KNOW HIM. I want the eyes of your heart to be flooded with light so you can clearly see these three things:

  1. The HOPE of His divine INVITATION that He has generously extended to you!
  2. How rich is His glorious INHERITANCE in you and in everyone who has been set apart for Him.
  3. The immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His POWER in and for YOU who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength…

God’s power – in you and me! You see, God exerted His strength in His Son, Jesus, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places!

His place and position is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name and title, not only in this age and this world but also in the age and the world which are to come.

God has put all things under Jesus’ feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of His Ekklesia (called out ones). And while Jesus is the Head, His Ekklesia is His body. For in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself.

~ Paraphrased from Ephesians 1:15-23

Before continuing the journey to learn more about WHO we are, let’s be intentionally connected (prayer) with our Heavenly Father and thank Him for providing and empowering our identity in Jesus.

FEATURED INSPIRATIONAL PHOTO

Power of Prayer - Grand Coulee Dam

“Power in Prayer”

Grand Coulee Dam in Washington State is the largest hydropower producer in the United States. It powers 8 western states and parts of Canada. It is also one of the largest concrete structures in the world. The dam generates over 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. It not only generates power but also provides irrigation water to over 720,000 acres of agricultural land in central Washington. The sheer size and thunder of the water flow leave onlookers in awe at the structure. I am reminded of James 5:16b, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” (AMPC Version)

This photo is available as an inspirational wall hanging. With the caption “Power in Prayer”.