Allie's Way

Prayer of Spiritual Strength

Sunday while Irma was making her appearance into Florida, this scripture was read from Ephesian.  It is a Prayer of Spiritual Strength.  Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians while in prison in Rome in the midst of his own turmoil in his life, yet he turned to the Lord and focused on the race to perseve so that he might continue to teach and lead other to Christ.  His great concern at this time was that others would turn new believers like the Ephesians away from the Gospel.  The word of this prayer provided me with the confidence that God was in charge and would provide for not just me but this country, but we must have faith in him to provide this strength.

The Prayer of Spiritual Strength from Ephesian 3:14-21

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,

19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 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,

21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

As the words are read, tears filled my eyes and I thought of those devastated from Harvey and the devastaton to come from Irma.  Yet, God showed me he was here in the midst of the prayer.  He would provide more than expected just as he gave his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Peace in the Chaos

I continued to read this prayer this week which gave me peace as first we waited for Irma, watched her make landfall, and finally the task of rescue and clean up.  It felt like deja vu all over again after just watching the destruction by Harvey, and then I read the prayer over and over for the assurance of his strength and provision.  My prayer was not for my strength, but that he provide strength to the millions of people impacted across our country.  As they begin the recovery and are worried of the future, I pray the words of Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Bow My Knees

The Prayer of Spiritual Strength reminds me to bow my knees before the Lord and he will grant me the strength I need spiritually to be an example of His Glory.  I must open my heart for Christ to dwell there and root himself inside of me in order to be the example of love that shows God’s love to others around me.  Finally, I must remember that God promises “more abundantly than all that we ask or think”.  I must give all my worries to Him!  No matter the fate of this life God promises believers that good will always come, and this is where I find my peace and pray that others will as well.  “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.

As I bow my knees today and pray for our country, pray for all the victims of the hurricanes and fires burning in our nation, and pray that God will make me an example of his love and strength for others.  I know that God will answer me because he has told me he would in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Amen.

Closing Verse: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  Matthew 7:7

Challenge: Give your worries to the Lord and pray for your needs, and He will provide abundance in your life.