Paul's Doxology

This week we looked at the prayer of Paul and compared it to a ladder—we started praying for the power in our inner being, we moved to asking for Christ to be at home in our lives, and then that we would be able to comprehend the love the Father has for us, and finally we reached the height of the prayer—that we would be filled with the fullness of God.

Robinson said, “No prayer that has ever been framed has uttered a bolder request,” but did Paul go over the top? Did he ask for more than we can think possible? Can we actually have the power in our inner being? Can we actually hope for God to dwell in our hearts through faith? Can we really comprehend the love of the Father? Can we actually be filled with the fullness of God? Our text this morning shouts a big YES to all of those questions!

The truth is we have another ladder of sorts—it is a doxology—a glory statement that progresses. Look at it—

Now unto Him,

now unto Him who is able,

now unto Him who is able to do,

now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly,

now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask,

now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think,

now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all 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!

There are so many ways we could go, but I want to walk though this and encourage you within the context of Paul’s prayer to understand that there is no limit to what God can do and our prayers are probably never big enough…when you consider what Paul is asking for in verses 14-19 and when you consider what Paul says in 20-21—we should be encouraged to come to God with things that are impossible for us but possible for Him. I want to share several things about prayer this morning.

First, don’t be guilty of not having because you are not asking God!

Second, don’t be guilty of not having because you doubt the ability of God!

Third, don’t be guilty of not having because you doubt God’s ability to work in you!

Finally, don’t be guilty of not having because you focus all your prayers upon yourself!

John Newton, the author of the great hymn Amazing Grace, believed in large asking. He would often site a legendary story of a man who asked Alexander the Great to give him a huge sum of money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He told the man to make his request to the treasurer and when he did the amount was so large that the treasure went to Alexander the Great to make sure.

Legend says Alexander said, “Let him have it all. I like that fellow. He does me honor. He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks that he believes me to be both rich and generous.”

One of Newton’s hymns has these words, “Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring; for his grace and power are such, none can ever ask too much.” Never forget that God is sovereign and knows what to give and what to withhold, but never forget that He is your Abba Father and you can come to Him with anything—He is able you know!