And yet, I suspect, we don't. At least many of us don't. Oh, we pray some, I suppose, but not like that -- "without ceasing." We might ask God to "guide the doctor's hand" or to give comfort to a loved one or to bless the food. Sure, we pray, but nothing near "without ceasing."
Which is odd, given what Paul writes in Ephesians.
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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)Yes, the text is about giving glory to God. But look at why. Paul is tripping over himself with words here regarding God's ability. "Far more abundantly than all." A string of extremes. In what is God "able to do far more abundantly than all"? He is able to radically exceed our ability to ask or think. Can you ask it? He can do it. Can you imagine it? He can do it. And more. Far more. "According to the power at work within us." It's already there! And, yet, we don't have because we don't ask.
I think we pray way too small. God is certainly not the limitation. "Oh, I don't think He can do that." I think our prayers are a reflection of our worldview. They tend to be selfish and meager; selfish (James 4:3) because we are selfish and meager because we don't have a high view of God. One would think that a believer who has died to self and lives for the glory of God would have a magnificent prayer life.
2 comments:
Do you suppose the "without ceasing" is hyperbole. I don't do anything without ceasing, even breathing (yes, sometimes I forget to breathe).
I would assume that it is. We can't, for instance, continue to pray when we're not conscious (asleep or otherwise). On the other hand, I don't think most of us come near to "pray most of the time," either.
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