Week Thirty-Five - According To, Too

Last week, we thought about God's power to answer prayer according to His ability. Today, let's look at another aspect of those two words, "according to." The "according to" that places strength and power within us.

In Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul basically records his prayer for the people in the church at Ephesus. The verses take a different focus when you read them as a prayer.

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Such a wonderful prayer. I'd love someone to pray that over my life, wouldn't you? To ask God to grant me the strength of the Spirit in my inner man, according to the riches of God. God, who giveth liberally? God, with whom all things are possible? God, who is for me? And for my petitioner to do so based on the power of God that works in us both?

Let's not stop there, for Paul records his prayer for the church at Colosse, as well. Colossians 1:9-12 reads:

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."

There is that request for strength again. This time, coupled not only with the knowledge of Christ's love, but also with the understanding of His will, fruitfulness, and the qualities of patience, longsuffering, and joy. 

These are prayers that recognize the abundance of God's supply, prayers that tap into who God is and what all He wants to accomplish in us, according to His power working within us. 

I don't know about you, but when I think about God's power within me, I'm humbled, fearful, and even empowered. Not by what I can do, but by what He can do according to His attributes and character. I'm not a little non-count, I am a child of God, and according to His Word, all power is given to me as well. Amazing! And when I translate this power into my prayer life, even more amazing things happen. For now, I am praying according to my belief and within God's will. It opens the door of the impossible!