Exceeding what we can think of

Ephesians 3 20 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, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.  -kjv 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.  -niv 20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  -hcsb Exposition from Dr Michael Rydelnik on February 6, 2016: Do you have a need that is so big, so seemingly impossible that it is hard to even pray about it? I mean, why bother? God can't answer that one! Honestly, most of us won't admit to feelings like that but we have them. For praying that a broken marriage be restored or  a wayward child to return to the Lord or a broken heart to be healed or maybe an addiction that needs breaking, whatever it is, it seems that prayer has no possibility of helping. For the last few weeks, we have been looking at the principles of prayer from Ephesians 3:14-21 and we've seen that first of all we need to have a humble attitude in prayer and also that we need to pray for specific spiritual benefits but today we are going to look at Ephesians 3:20-21: the doxology at the end of Paul's prayer, actually the doxology to the first half of Ephesians. Paul's doxology reminds us that  we are not only to petition God with what we want but we are to praise Him for who He is. In particular, we need to praise God because God's ability to answer our prayers has no limits. In verse 20, Paul piles adjectives upon adjectives, it's a compound word with super superlatives, maybe paraphrased something like this: Now to Him who is able to do vastly more or maybe immeasurably and infinitely more than we can even ask or think. Think about this, the sun is 93 million miles away from the earth. If we were any nearer, it could burn up every planet on its path, God's power burn more brighter than that sun. Compared to the oceans that covered two thirds of the earth, God's power is far more abundant. Compared to the vastness of the universe, God's power is infinitely more limitless. This is the power that works in us, so there are no limits. We are confident that He can answer our prayers. This infinite power demands that we give all glory to God as in verse 21. How will that glory be seen? For God's glory is demonstrated through His people, the Church, when we obey Him and live for Him. Even more significantly, God's glory is demonstrated through our Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ forever, who always glorifies the Father in all that He does. Afraid to ask God for something? No worries, I can't guarantee that God will automatically say yes, He's not a genie. He's the sovereign of the universe. He may have a different plan that in His sovereignty and infinite wisdom will bring Him more glory some other way.  Whether He answers them as we wish or gives us something different, He will be glorified in our lives as we faithfully trust Him.